A09907:5
A discourse writtenA discourse wrytten
A discourse written by M. Theodore de Beza, conteyning in brief the history of the life and death of Master John Calvin with the testament and last will of the said Calvin, and the catalogue of his books that he hath made. Turned out of French into English, by I.S. In the year of our Lord. M.D.LXIIII. Seen and allowed according to the order appointed in the Queens Majesties injunctions.A discourse wrytten by M. Theodore de Beza, conteyning in briefe the historie of the life and death of Maister Iohn Caluin with the testament and laste will of the saide Caluin, and the catalogue of his bookes that he hath made. Turned out of Frenche into Englishe, by I.S. In the yeare of our Lorde. M.D.LXIIII. Seene and allowed according to the order appointed in the Queenes Maiesties iniunctions.
London: printed by Henry Denham for Lucas Harrison, 1564
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The Printer to the Reader.
FRIEND READER I offer unto thee this present gathering or sum, containing the Life and Death of the Faithful servant of God, Master John Calvin: by the which thou shalt see marvellous examples of the assaults, that he hath endured for the Doctrine of the Son of God, and also what assistance God doth give to his, when his honour and glory cometh in question. In the mean time think it not strange that this discourse doth not agree with the accustomed form of Historians, for the purpose of the Author who is Master Theodore de Beza, a good servant of God also, and a companion of Master John Calvin in the work of the Lord, was not to publish it as an History, but only for a Preface to the Commentaries of the said Calvin upon the Book of Joshua, come to light sith his death. I have thought good to advertise thee hereof, to the end that thou shouldest not think, that the memory of so great and worthy a personage might be satisfied with so small a discourse, ⟨image 3⟩(albeit that it is diligently and truly set forth) the which shall serve thee only to this purpose to make thee to hope and look for an ample and goodly History of his acts and doings, which shall greatly profit to the advancement of the Church of God: to whom be glory and honour for ever and ever. Sobeit.
FRIEND READER I offer vnto thee this present gathering or summe, contayning the Lyfe and Death of the Faithfull seruant of God, Maister Iohn Caluin: by the which thou shalt see maruellous examples of the assaultes, that he hath endured for the Doctrine of the Sonne of God, and also what assistance God doth giue to his, when his honor and glorye commeth in question. In the meane time thinke it not straunge that this discourse doth not agree with the accustomed forme of Hystorians, for the purpose of the Auctor who is Master Theodore de Beza, a good seruant of God also, and a companion of Maister Iohn Caluin in the worke of the Lorde, was not to publishe it as an Hystorie, but onely for a Preface to the Commentaries of the saide Caluin vppon the Booke of Iosue, come to light sith his death. I haue thought good to aduertise thee hereof, to the ende that thou shouldest not thinke, that the memorie of so great and worthie a personage myght be satisfied with so smalle a discourse,