A10250:22
Propositions and principles of divinity propounded and disputed in the university of GenevaPropositions and principles of diuinitie propounded and disputed in the vniuersitie of Geneua
Propositions and principles of divinity propounded and disputed in the university of Geneva, by certain students of divinity there, under M. Theod. Beza, and M. Anthony Faius ... Wherein is contained a methodical summary, or epitome of the common places of divinity. Translated out of Latin into English, to the end that the causes, both of the present dangers of that Church, and also of the troubles of those that are hardly dealt with else-where, may appear in the English tongue.Propositions and principles of diuinitie propounded and disputed in the vniuersitie of Geneua, by certaine students of diuinitie there, vnder M. Theod. Beza, and M. Anthonie Faius ... Wherein is contained a methodicall summarie, or epitome of the common places of diuinitie. Translated out of Latine into English, to the end that the causes, both of the present dangers of that Church, and also of the troubles of those that are hardlie dealt vvith els-vvhere, may appeare in the English tongue.
Edinburgh: printed by Robert Waldegrave, 1591Edinburgh: printed by Robert Waldegraue, 1591
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.
And hereby also it will be manifested, that there is great cause why the estate of that now distressed Church should be respected. For surely if there be any love in men towards Christ Jesus, labouring & fainting as it were in his pore members under the burden of great crosses and trials, they cannot shut up their compassion towards him, craving their help in the person of that poor Church. I beseech thee therefore good reader, in the mercies of God, not to shut up thy compassion towards the same, and be assured, that the Lord Jesus will for that thy kindness say unto thee, nay say of thee unto his Father, his Angels and Church.1 I was poor, hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, and besieged in Geneva, and behold this man enriched me, fed me, clothed me, visited me, and defended me as far as lay in him: wherefore come thou blessed of my Father, and possess thy never ending reward. I know beloved that thou hast many hinderances to do this in this backsliding age, but know yet that Matthew sayeth,2 that it is a king, who requireth this at thy hands, and will be exceedingly angry with thee to thy woe, if thou deniest his request as he will reward thee most bountifully to thy comfort if thou grant the same. And in any case take heed in this, as in all other points touching thy duty, of the wisdom of this age, whose wariness tendeth to no other purpose, but warily to starve and forsake the Gospel. The shame, poverty and discontent of the Gospel, I tell thee is a glorious ignominy. All the crowns in the world are not worthy to stand in the balance with the same. Thou art also to know, that the Gospel is, whatsoever is according unto wholesome doctrine, as the Apostle teacheth,3 and therefore, if thou wilt stand unto the same, thou must wholly cleave unto it, otherwise, the fierce anger of the God of trueth, will be against thee for shrinking from any part of his testimonies. And thou must know, that thou art not to choose what to defend, but thou art bound to maintain according unto thy calling, whatsoever thou seest to be oppugned by any, be they friends or be they enemies of the truth.
And herby also it will be manifested, that there is great cause why the estate of that now distressed Church shuld be respected. For surely if there be any loue in men towards Christ Iesus, laboring & faynting as it were in his pore members vnder the burden of great crosses and tryalls, they cannot shut vp their compassiō towards him, crauing their help in the person of that poore Church. I beseech thee therefore good reader, in the mercies of God, not to shut vp thy compassion towards the same, and be assured, that the Lord Iesus will for that thy kindnes say vnto thee, nay say of thee vnto his Father, his Angells and Church.