A15857:45
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.
It was meet that a book, not ill, containing good doctrine, should have a good patron: who both for his piety would, and for his learning could, defend the same: and that constantly: whereunto, how much the nobility of blood, and generosity of mind, if they be joined with true piety, can help, we have learned by long experience. For it is proper unto a noble man, to be constant in a matter commendable, and worthy of honour: and not to suffer himself to be carried away from any honest purpose, either ⟨p. 39⟩by weal or woe. Sincerity and constancy are such virtues, as cannot fall into rustical and servile minds. Add hereunto, that I judged it a thing honest and necessary, that there should some monument be extant to all men in all ages, of my dutiful observance to you, & of our christian friendship. For the friendship which proceedeth of virtue, and is therefore sincere and sound, is a thing both with God and men most worthy of all praise: such as was between David and Jonathan: Peter and John, Paul and Barnabas. For as all have not faith, as the Apostle said, so all have not true friendship: & as faith, so also love is from God, saith John: and springeth from true piety and virtue. Ours, doubtless, was not settled, through flesh and blood: but through Christ, piety, religion, and love of the same religion: whereunto afterwards, was added a likeness of our minds, studies, & manners, and a most sweet conversing together for many years, whereby the same was confirmed: and so confirmed that it could not by any, though very great distance of place, no not in many years, be diminished or weakened. What? that it hath not only continued hitherto firm and constant: but also hath ever, and still doth seem more and more daily to increase: the holy ghost more and more kindling this ⟨p. 40⟩brotherly love in our hearts? I surely for my part do well feel, how great a desire is in me, both to see you, and to speak with you, yea and to embrace you in the Lord: as also I well understand, both by your letters unto me, and by your kind dealings in my behalf, what great care you have of me. So true friendship, which is wrought by the spirit of God, is ever wont, continually to be preserved and increased.
It was meet that a booke, not ill, containing good doctrin, should haue a good patron: who both for his pietie would, and for his learning could, defend the same: and that constantly: whereunto, how much the nobilitie of blood, and generosity of minde, if they be ioyned with true pietie, can help, we haue learned by long expetience. For it is proper vnto a noble man, to be constant in a matter commendable, and worthie of honor: and not to suffer himselfe to be carried away from any honest purpose, either