and again, that I my self feeling my self now and then, by Gods grace I doubt not (for as I know, so I freely confess, that in my flesh, that is to say, in my self, dwelleth nothing that is good) stirred up to such holy duties, might receive, not in the things as performed by my self•, but as they are graces of God, flowing from his goodness, and wrought by his word and spirit, both some comfort in the days of ⟨image 3⟩my great grief and heaviness of heart, and some encouragement to goodness also, when mine own dullness and backwardness to the same, not only ariseth up in me, but standeth against it, as with force and might, to stop and hinder me therein. In regard whereof also, I do at this time humbly offer and present unto you (right honourable & right worshipful) together, first a sound discourse or two, which that learned man M. Beza wrote, and I long ago translated, and withal a short sum, that I my self penned heretofore, and have enlarged again all of them touching that great question of the Lords supper. For that worthy mans worthy works, I dare protest and aver, that if the excellency, either of the man, or matter, or manner, may purchase a fruitful commendation, and procure favourable acceptation (with them that fear God I mean, & love his truth sincerely) it shall not want either the one or the other. For as concerning the writer himself, he is one of the wonders & worthies of the world at this day, a man of rare parts every manner of way (whatsoever some, either of ignorance in themselves, or pride of themselves, bark out against him to the contrary) whether we respect sound knowledge and judgement, in the tongs and trueth of God, or faithful pains, and fruitful travels in his ministry and place. And as for the work, it concerneth a great ground of our christian faith, and the same controverted, not only between the superstitious papists and us, in the question of transubstantiation, but with such also as in the common profession of Gods holy word and religion, we charitably take for our brethren, though otherwise in this point, overshot as we say, & overseen also.
and againe, that I my selfe feeling my selfe now and then, by Gods grace I doubt not (for as I know, so I freelie confesse, that in my flesh, that is to say, in my selfe, dwelleth nothing that is good) stirred vp to such holie duties, might receiue, not in the things as performed by my self•, but as they are graces of God, flowing from his goodnesse, and wrought by his word and spirit, both some comfort in the daies of ⟨image 3⟩my great greefe and heuinesse of heart, and some incouragement to goodnesse also, when mine owne dulnesse and backwardnesse to the same, not onelie ariseth vp in me, but standeth against it, as with force and might, to stop and hinder me therein. In regard whereof also, I doo at this time humblie offer and present vnto you (right honorable & right worshipfull) togither, first a sound discourse or two, which that learned man M. Beza wrote, and I long ago translated, and withall a short summe, that I my selfe penned heeretofore, and haue inlarged againe all of them touching that great question of the Lords supper. For that woorthie mans woorthie works, I dare protest and auer, that if the excellencie, either of the man, or matter, or maner, may purchase a frutefull commendation, and procure fauorable acceptation (with them that feare God I meane, & loue his truth sincerelie) it shall not want either the one or the other. For as concerning the writer himselfe, he is one of the woonders & woorthies of the world at this day, a man of rare parts euerie maner of way (whatsoeuer some, either of ignorance in themselues, or pride of themselues, barke out against him to the contrarie) whether we respect sound knowledge and iudgement, in the toongs and trueth of God, or faithfull paines, and frutefull trauels in his ministerie and place. And as for the worke, it concerneth a great ground of our christian faith, and the same controuerted, not onlie betweene the superstitious papists and vs, in the question of transubstantiation, but with such also as in the common profession of Gods holie word and religion, we charitably take for our brethren, thogh otherwise in this point, ouershot as we say, & ouerseene also.
