A10213:969
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.
All things doth only rest upon thee, O Lord, thou hast created all things of nothing, so that without thee they all do fall to their original, to she we them selves vain and nothing worth•, weak, wretched, & miserable, wherefore if we have any good thing it cometh of thy mercy, if we have any weakness, sin, or infirmity, it cometh of our own con•• piscence, lusts, & vanity, our perdition is of our selves, our sin is of our selves, only of thee is our salvation, thou made us clay, pots & vessels to thine use. Do thou with us as thou shalt think good in thine eyes, and the shame shall fall upon our own faces. ⟨image 128⟩The second cause which concerneth man (whereby many mistake this doctrine) is that God exhorteth man always in his Scriptures to good, and forbiddeth evil with many terrible threatenings, which things seemeth not to be needful (say they) seeing the Ele••e shall be saved, & the Reprobate condemned, by decree & sentence given upon them before they be borne. To this we do answer, that these exhortations and communications are very necessary to both twain, because God leadeth us men always like reasonable creatures, not like insensible steaks or stones. And to the Elect they are most necessary pricks and spurs, to stir the dull flesh toward his duty, as all good men feeleth & can bear witness. To the Reprobate they are testimonies of the good will of the almighty God to them opened and uttered, but openly resisted, and refused, and rejected, according to the saying of our Saviour Christ: If I had not come and spoken to them, they had had no sin, but now they have no pretence or excuse for their sin. Peradventure you will answer ⟨image 128⟩me: They can not obey unto it. What is the cause thereof I pray you? because they lack the spirit of Christ to lead them, you will say: I dare easily grant you, but will they grant this? will they (think you) submit them selves under poor Christ, and the foolishness of the cross, and not rather boast and brag their wisdom, their knowledge, and their upright dealing, and righteousness. Are not these the men that dare thus boast? We know as well as the Preacher can tell us. Is the spirit of God departed from us to speak with him? As was said to Micah. 2