Considering the great use and profit of that worthy work of Acts and Monuments, written by Master John Fox, of blessed memory: and by reason of the largeness of the volume, and great price, how the most were bereaved of the benefit of so necessary an History: J often wished, some man would take the pains to draw the same into an Abridgement: that, both those that are busied in affairs, or not able to reach to the price of so great a book, might also have use of the history with them that neither want leisure, nor ability sufficient. But, seeing hitherto nothing done that way, nor hearing of any that had it in purpose, J ventured upon the labour my self, & thus have performed it for thy use: wherein, J have omitted nothing to my remembrance, and as my judgement served me, that is material to the history, so far as the nature of an Abridgement would permit. As for Treatises, Disputations, Epistles, and such like, J leave them to be read all together in the large Book: which I do exhort thee (gentle Reader) ⟨image 3⟩the rather for my Abridgements sake, to buy, and use. For, as the copiousness of that notable work, hath hid the rich treasures of the same, through charge of price, and mens affairs: So this my labour may give thee an assay, and appetite, to know further, whereof thou mayest here take (as it were) the taste. J assure thee, in mine opinion, there is not a book, under the Scriptures, more necessary for a Christian to be conversant in. There is no Burgess of a City, that hath care of his corporation, but would be glad to know, how in times past, the world went with his Corporation, that thereby he may understand the better how to be have himself therein, as occasion shall serve: and, not only would desire to know the laws of the same, but also, what examples have any way been given, touching the same. Even so, it becometh much more Christians, that are Citizens of the church of Christ, and have a community in that body, to know, not only the laws of this City, (which is the word of God) but also, what hath befallen, either good, or bad, and every accident: whereupon, experience may arise by example, and wisdom thereof, to be put in use accordingly. We may read what hath befallen the worthiest Commonwealths in this world, and what storms they ⟨image 3⟩have endured, and all sunk, under them.
COnsidering the great vse and profite of that worthie worke of Actes and Monumentes, written by Master Iohn Fox, of blessed memorie: and by reason of the largenes of the volume, and great price, how the most were bereaued of the benefite of so necessarie an Historie: J often wished, some man would take the paines to draw the same into an Abridgement: that, both those that are busied in affaires, or not able to reach to the price of so great a booke, might also haue vse of the historie with them that neither want leisure, nor hability sufficient. But, seeing hetherto nothing done that way, nor hearing of any that had it in purpose, J vētured vpon the labor my self, & thus haue performed it for thy vse: wherein, J haue omitted nothing to my remembrance, and as my iudgement serued me, that is materiall to the historie, so farre as the nature of an Abridgement would permitte. As for Treatises, Disputations, Epistles, and such like, J leaue them to be read all together in the large Booke: which I doe exhort thee (gentle Reader) ⟨image 3⟩the rather for my Abridgements sake, to buy, and vse. For, as the copiousnes of that notable worke, hath hid the riche treasures of the same, through charge of price, and mens affaires: So this my labour may geue thee an assay, and appetite, to know further, whereof thou maist here take (as it were) the taste. J assure thee, in mine opinion, there is not a booke, vnder the Scriptures, more necessarie for a Christian to be conuersant in. There is no Burgesse of a Citie, that hath care of his corporation, but would be glad to know, how in times past, the world went with his Corporatiō, that therby he may vnderstād the better how to be haue himselfe therein, as occasion shall serue: and, not onely woulde desire to knowe the lawes of the same, but also, what examples haue any way beene geuen, touching the same. Euen so, it becommeth much more Christians, that are Citizens of the church of Christ, and haue a communitie in that bodie, to know, not onely the lawes of this Citie, (which is the word of God) but also, what hath befallen, either good, or bad, and euerye accident: whereupon, experience may arise by example, and wisdome thereof, to be put in vse accordingly. We may read what hath befallen the worthiest Commonwealths in this world, and what stormes they ⟨image 3⟩haue endured, and all sunke, vnder them.
