A15857:15
H. Zanchius his confession of Christian religion Which now at length being 70. years…H. Zanchius his confession of Christian religion Which novve at length being 70. yeares…
H. Zanchius his confession of Christian religion Which now at length being 70. years of age, he caused to be published in the name of himself & his family. Englished in sense agreeable, and in words as answerable to his own latin copy, as in so grave a mans work is requisite: for the profit of all the unlearneder sort, of English christians, that desire to know his judgement in matters of faith.H. Zanchius his confession of Christian religion Which novve at length being 70. yeares of age, he caused to bee published in the name of himselfe & his family. Englished in sense agreeable, and in words as answerable to his ovvne latine copie, as in so graue a mans worke is requisite: for the profite of all the vnlearneder sort, of English christians, that desire to know his iudgement in matters of faith.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1599Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1599
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.
If a huge & a most mighty army of enemies should overcome any country, killing & spoiling wheresoever they came, so as they could not quickly or easily be driven out again: what should the inhabitants of that country do, to provide for the safety of themselves & their children?
If a huge & a most mightie armie of enemies should ouercome any cuntrey, killing & spoyling wheresoeuer they came, so as they could not quickly or easily be driuen out againe: what should the inhabitāts of that cuntrey do, to prouide for the safety of thēselues & their childrē?
First they must fly into the strong defenced cities: & tarry there, until by gods help the country might be delivered out of their enemies hands. Next least being besieged they should perish by famine, or be constrained to yield themselves to the enemy: they must look for as plentiful provision of victuals as may be. And because unless the Lord do keep the city, the watchman watcheth but in vain: therefore all the people must with earnest prayers call upon god daily, to be with them keep, & defend them. Hereunto it is needful, that all within the city do observe constantly a brotherly faith, love, peace & concord among themselves: sith every kingdom divided in it self (as the Lord used to say) cannot stand: & even the heathen do witness, that by concord small matters grow to increase: by discord great things fall to decay. Neither is the health of body ⟨p. 9⟩to be neglected, wherein the citizens must be kept sound & strong as much as may be, for the profit & defence of the common wealth. For the sick & diseased, especially at such a time, can profit the common state very little, nay they are a great burden & cumbrance to it: so far are they from being able to fight against the enemy. Therefore it is very needful that every one look to his health: then, there is need of a careful & diligent watch, least the foes by any sudden assault, or by some deceit or underminings should pierce into the city, & set upon us unawares & unprovided: hereupon are night watches provided. But how can there be any watching without sobriety? For by surfeiting & drunkenness heavy sleep is provoked: so that there can no watch be kept. Therefore least being over drowned in wine & sleep, we should be catched by our enemies, we had need of sobriety: & what is more needful, then always to have weapons in our hands, whereby we our selves may both be kept & defended from the blows of our enemies: and may also be able to repel and put back the enemy? therefore over and besides our strong walls & well defenced rampiers: the citizens themselves must also be ready in their armour. But nothing can happen more pestilent & pernicious to the common wealth: