Because sickness hath restrained me from preaching, I am content to do any good by writing. Happy is that Author which is in stead of other, that after his Book is read, men need read no moe of that matter. I go on a Theme which many have traversed before me prolixly, or cursorily, or barrenly: If I 1have performed by study any more than the rest, let my reader judge, and give glory to him which teacheth by whom he will. What I have endeavoured, my self do feel, and others know. We are ignorant of many things for a few that we understand: but I have bin alway ashamed, that my writings should weigh lighter for want of pains, which ⟨image 4⟩is the bane of Printing, and surfeiteth the Reader. Now I send thee like a Bee to gather Honey out of flowers, and weeds. Every Garden is furnished with others, and so is ours. Read, pray, and med[…]; thy profit shall be little in any book, unless thou read alone, and unless thou read all. It is one of the births of my fainting, therefore take it with a right hand, and if thou find any thing that doth make thee better, I repent not that others importunity hath obtained it for thee. Farewell. As Jacob blessed his sons when he left them, so now I 2must leave my fruit to others, I pray God to bless it, that it may bring forth fruit in other, and be the savour of life to 3all that read it.
BEcause sicknesse hath restrained mee from preaching, I am content to doe anye good by writing. Happye is that Author which is in stead of other, that after his Booke is read, men neede reade no moe of that matter. I goe on a Theame which many haue trauersed before mee prolixely, or cursorily, or barrenly: If I 1haue performed by studie any more than the rest, let my reader iudge, and giue glory to him which teacheth by whome he will. What I haue endeuored, my selfe doo feele, and others knowe. We are ignorant of many things for a few that we vnderstand: but I haue bin alwaye ashamed, that my writings shoulde waigh lighter for want of paines, which ⟨image 4⟩is the bane of Printing, and surfetteth the Reader. Now I send thee like a Bee to gather Honie out of slowers, and weedes. Euery Garden is furnished with others, and so is ours. Reade, pray, and med〈…〉; thy profit shall be little in any booke, vnlesse thou reade alone, and vnlesse thou reade all. It is one of the births of my fainting, therefore take it with a right hand, and if thou finde any thing that doth make thee better, I repent not that others importunitie hath obtained it for thee. Farewell. As Iacob blessed his sonnes when he left them, so now I 2must leaue my fruite to others, I pray God to blesse it, that it may bring foorth fruit in other, and be the sauour of life to 3all that reade it.
- 1Reverendis. Coverdalū excipio.Reuerendis. Couerdalū excipio.
- 2Gen. 49. 1.
- 32. Cor. 2. 16.
