A17219:14
Questions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the adversaries of the sameQuestions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the aduersaries of the same
Questions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the adversaries of the same: and answered by M. H. Bullinger of Zurick: reduced into .17. common places. Translated into English by John Cox. 1572Questions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the aduersaries of the same: and aunswered by M. H. Bullinger of Zurick: reduced into .17. common places. Translated into Englishe by Iohn Coxe. 1572
London: printed by Henry Bynneman for George Byshop, 1572London: printed by Henrie Bynneman for George Byshop, 1572
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.
Henry Bullinger to the Christian Reader.
Henrie Bullinger to the Christian Reader.
There are almost every where through Germany scattered abroad certain Questions, written or Printed, and that to the end the professors of the gospel, and especially such as amongst them are unlearned, might by them be troubled, brought into doubt, and as it were quite driven from the gospel, as from a new, doubtful, false and corrupt doctrine. For some of these Questions are so coloured with scriptures, that at the first sight they seem to have some show of truth. But they all shoot to this mark, that they may thrust in and plant, not the true church of Christ and his doctrine, but the church of Rome, her doctrine, ⟨image 10⟩manners, statutes, and other abuses. Whereby it comes to pass by the infirmity of man, and by reason of persecutions, that many conceive an evil opinion and loathsomeness of the gospel, and that chiefly when they see there is no man to instruct them, strengthen and comfort them. Wherefore when by some I was requested to make some brief and plain answer to the said Questions, and somewhat to open the matter, that both they might perceive how to understand those places of scriptures, as also see that our religion grounded on the Gospel, is not such as they slander it to be, I toke that matter in hand: And applied my diligence to defend the true religion (as indeed it is the duty of every good ⟨image 10⟩Christian) to comfort the godly and such as were afflicted, and according to the talent given me of God (for without his help all mans doing is but vain) I answered the .lxi. questions, for so many came unto my hands, & therefore whether there be more or less in other places I know not. Wherefore I beseech thee good Christian Reader to take this my travel in good part, and follow the Counsel of S. Paul, who biddeth thee to prove all things, and to keep that which is good. And thus much more I say for their sakes that shall either read or hear this Treatise, that if they be wearied with the contentions and strifes in Religion, and the sharp taunts that oftentimes fall out in that cause, I have in