A17599:24
Aphorisms of Christian religionAphorismes of Christian religion
Aphorisms of Christian religion: or, a very compendious abridgement of M. I. Calvins Institutions set forth in short sentences methodically by M. I. Piscator: and now Englished according to the authors third and last edition, by H. Holland.Aphorismes of Christian religion: or, a verie compendious abridgement of M. I. Calvins Institutions set forth in short sentences methodically by M. I. Piscator: and now Englished according to the authors third and last edition, by H. Holland.
London: printed by Richard Field and Robert Dexter, 1596
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Preface: THE AUTHORS PREface to Master Beza.Preface: THE AVTHORS PREface to Maister Beza.
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.
1Again, I rather call these sentences, Aphorisms, then (as they be called usually) themes, or questions, for the word thesis carieth some sign of doubtfulness with it, as may be seen with Aristotle in his Topics, where disputers are said aliquid [Greek or Hebrew] to set down some thing, which they do not avouch to be true: for the Logician, saith Aristotle in those books, ⟨image 8⟩must not affirm any thing as truth, but this belongeth to him only which can bring proof by demonstrative conclusions: but such as dispute Logically, are ready to defend their position as true, or at least wise as probable. And some time the word thesis with Aristotle signifieth some absurd opinion: carried about under the name of some famous Philosopher. But these sentences contained in these Aphorisms are neither absurd (but to such wits as be not enlightened and sanctified by Gods spirit) nor such as any Christian may lawfully doubt off. Here some man will ask; wherefore then are they propounded to be disputed upon, •d so to be called in question? I answer, •beit we dispute of them, yet we doubt not of the truth of them: for that is not the •nd wherefore we propose them in disputation: but that our auditory may the better see and know the truth of them, and to •e more assured of the same, by hearing •ll objections of heretics, and all scruples that may stick in their minds answered and resolved by the word of God: ⟨image 9⟩and so both the ignorant receive better instruction, and the weaker confirmation in the heavenly truth. But some will say; what need was there these Aphorisms should be published, seeing they were written for the special and proper use of thine auditory? I have herein also followed M. Olevian that most faithful Minister and servant of Christ: for his desire was that his abridgements might not only benefit such as heard him here, but strangers also of other countries. If he thought his abridgement should please many because of brevity, much more may I expect the like favour, for that I am herein more compendious then he. For these short Aphorisms contain the chief points of Christian Religion barely propounded,