A10213:968
The treasure of trueth touching the ground work of man his salvation, and chiefest…The treasure of trueth touching the grounde worke of man his saluation, and chiefest…
The treasure of trueth touching the ground work of man his salvation, and chiefest points of Christian religion: with a brief sum of the comfortable doctrine of God his providence, comprised in .38. short aphorisms. Written in Latin by Theodore Beza, and newly turned into English by John Stockwood. Whereunto are added, these godly treatises. One of the learned and godly Father. Master I. Fox. In the which the chiefest points of the doctrine of God his election, are so plainly set forth, as the very simplest may easily understand it, and reap great profit thereby. The other of Master Anthony Gylbie, wherein the doctrine of God his election and reprobation, is both godly and learnedly handled. Seen and allowed, according to the order appointed.The treasure of trueth touching the grounde worke of man his saluation, and chiefest pointes of Christian religion: with a briefe summe of the comfortable doctrine of God his prouidence, comprised in .38. short aphorismes. VVritten in Latin by Theodore Beza, and nevvly turned into English by Iohn Stockvvood. VVhereunto are added, these godly treatises. One of the learned and godlie Father. Maister I. Foxe. In the which the chiefest poyntes of the doctrine of God his election, are so plainely set foorth, as the verie simplest may easily vnderstand it, and reape great profite thereby. The other of Maister Anthonie Gylbie, wherein the doctrine of God his election and reprobation, is both godly and learnedlie handeled. Seene and alovved, according to the order appoynted.
London: printed by J. Charlewood for Thomas Woodcocke, 1576
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.
Wherefore though very much might be said in this part, that as the potter may make of one piece of clay what him liketh, the Smith may make of his iron divers instruments, yet following the godly wisdom of S. Pauls I think it more meet to beat down mans subtleties, with the contemplation of the Majesty of the mighty God, pronouncing boldly that such as say (if my lies and sin set forth his glory, why am I then judged as a sinner, let us do evil that good may come, and so in their wicked words dare make God the author of evil) hath their worthy damnation already, as Paul saith. Rom. 3. For of necessity ⟨image 127⟩which their eyes can not see, such diversity of sin and grace, of righteousness and unrighteousness, of the contrariety and change of things, must be in this won derfull creation of heaven and earth, by the high majesty of God appointed and ordained. For what needed the goodly creature of light? If there had been no darkness, or how should this benefit have been felt or perceived? what matter or cause of uttering justice might have been found without sin and unrighteousness? how should grace have been showed, if no wrath had been deserved? No the mighty God thereby most evidently uttereth his majesty, in that he showeth how the heavens fall into darkness without him, the earth into dust, the Angels into devils, the men into sin, and so finally without him all things to come to nought, that he might be magnified, creating all things, his son our saviour renowned, who hath redeemed us all, his holy spirit exalted, who hath renewed all us that be his elect and chosen. Now to what creature is the majesty of God ⟨image 127⟩bound and found debtor of his spirit. If he withhold it from any, his dreadful majesty may rightly withhold it, for who hath given him first, to ask any thing again of debt or duty? If his majesty do give his spirit, it is of his free mercy and grace. If the earth fall into dust, if man fall into sin, that all things may be known to be nothing without God: what blame deserveth God, or who dare accuse him? No, let all flesh fall down before his majesty and confess:
Wherefore though very muche might be sayde in this parte, that as the potter may make of one peece of clay what hym liketh, the Smith mays make of hys yron diuers instrumentes, yet following the godly wisdome of S. Paule I thinke it more meete to beate downe mans subtilties, with the contemplation of the Maiestie of the mightie God, pronouncing boldly that suche as saye (if my lyes and sinne set foorth his glory, why am I then iudged as a sinner, let vs doo euyll that good may come, and so in their wycked words dare make God the author of euyl) hath their worthy damnation alreadye, as Paule sayth.