A15857:46
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.
And surely such good things as proceed from God, and may also be for the profit of others: those we ought to show forth & celebrate by all means that we can, for his glory, & the edification of our brethren. Therefore as it was Gods will, that the particular leagues of friendship, of some of the Saints should be commended in the scriptures: so this of ours, ought not to be buried in perpetual silence.
And surely such good things as proceed frō God, and may also be for the profite of others: those wee ought to shew forth & celebrate by al meanes that we can, for his glory, & the edification of our brethren. Therefore as it was Gods will, that the particular leagues of friendship, of some of the Saintes should be commended in the scriptures: so this of ours, ought not to be buried in perpetuall silence.
Hereunto also, besides that with your singular benevolence & favour, you have respected, not only my self (as is said) but also my dear kinse-men, and all that honest and christian family of the Limacii: such also, have been your good benefits and offices towards me: that unless I would be utterly unthankful: I must needs mind, if not a full recompense, yet at least an honest declaration of a grateful heart: ⟨p. 41⟩especially seeing true friendship cannot consist among the unthankful. Now, what was I able to perform, either better acceptable to you, or more beseeming your piety, virtue, and nobility, than that I should dedicate unto your name, this little book, wherein, in as much brevity and perspicuity as I could, I have comprehended a sum of our whole christian doctrine? For what kind of man each one is, and what manner of study, knowledge, and religion each one professeth, such kind of works are used, and indeed ought to be dedicated and commended to him. So Luke did write the Acts to his [both in deed and in name] Theophilus: So Caelius Lactantius, his christian institutions, to the most christian emperor Constantine: So Ambrose his godly books of faith, and of the holy spirit, to that religious emperor Gratian. So lastly, (to stay no longer in a matter evident) all wise men, have chosen such patrons for their books, as were the books: that the title of the books might be answerable to their profession, to whom they were dedicated. Wherefore sith I could in no sort better recompense your deserts towards me, then by dedication of this book: I desire and beseech you, to receive with your courteous acceptation, this [how small a present soever] perpetual testimony