A17651:2
An epistle both of Godly consolation and also of advertisement writtenAn epistle both of Godly consolacion and also of aduertisement written
An epistle both of Godly consolation and also of advertisement written by John Calvin the pastor & preacher of Geneva, to the right noble prince Edward Duke of Somerset, before the time or knowledge had of his trouble, but delivered to the said Duke, in the time of his trouble, and so translated out of French by the same Duke.An epistle both of Godly consolacion and also of aduertisement written by Iohn Caluine the pastour & preacher of Geneua, to the right noble prince Edvvarde Duke of Somerset, before the tyme or knoweledge had of his trouble, but delyuered to the sayde Duke, in the time of his trouble, and so translated out of frenshe by the same Duke.
London: printed by W. Baldwin?, 1550
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.
To the Christian reader.
That nothing is more odious or detestable afore god then the disobedience of subjects against their Kings and Governors, may partly by most open testimonies of holy Scripture evidently appear, and partly by this argument be manifestly proved, that it hath never yet unto this day, neither in God's elected people the Israelites, nor yet in any other common weal, either Heathen or Christian, escaped without most grievous plagues and punishments. Yet nevertheless so merciful a god he is, of so long sufferance, so loth to strike, and so desirous of mans amendment: that it hath pleased his divine majesty, ere he will take extreme vengeance for tumultuous disobedience of the people against their heads, to give many sundry kinds of warnings for us to beware by. First he hath now in these last days, raised up many godly preachers, who cease not daily to ⟨image 3⟩publish (as it were) gods proclamation in this behalf, plainly declaring to all estates and degrees, what their duty is. He hath provided many godly exhortations and treatises daily to come forth to the same effect & purpose. Yea, and lest any man should think that he will dally in such a matter, he made us the last Summer here in England to feel a little touch of his sharp rod, by the kings regal sword, being a most evident token of his great wrath and indignacy on against all Rebels, and seditious murmurers. God hath of his infinite goodness not only made little England strong enough to withstand all foreign puissance, (if we hold togethers, and agree well amongst our selves, obeying the king and magistrates as we ought to do:) but also by many undoubtable tokens hath declared that he mindeth (as it were) to make his habitation and dwelling place here among us, of purpose to be our sure defence and protection, if we will