The Institution of Christian Religion

AT the first setting out of this work, because I did not look for that success, which the Lord of his unmeasurable goodness hath given, I had (as men use to do in small works) for the more part lightly passed it over. But when I understood that it was received with that favour of all the godly, which I never durst have desired, much less have hoped for: as I verily felt in my hart that much more was given to me than I had deserved, so I thought it should be a great unthankfulness if I should not at the least after my slender ability endeavour to answer so favourable affections toward me, and which of themselves provoked my diligence. And this I attempted not only in the second setting fourth of it: but how oft sins that time the work hath ben imprinted, so oft it hath ben enriched with some increase. But although I did not then repent me of the labour that I had employed: yet I never held my self contented till it was disposed into that order which is now set before you. Now I trust I have given you that which may be allowed by all your judgments. Truly with how great endeavour I have applied my self to the doing of this service to the Church of God, I may bring fourth for an evident witness, that this last winter, when I thought that the fever Quartave had summoned me to death, how much more the sickness enforced upon me, so much less I spared myself, till I might leave this book to overlive me, which might make some part of thankful recompense to so gentle provoking of the godly. I had rather in deed it had ben done sooner: but it is soon enough if well enough. And I shall then think that it is come abroad in good season, when I shall perceive that it hath brought yet more plentiful fruit than it hath done heretofore to the Church of God. This is my only desire. And truly full ill it were with me, if I did not, holding my self contented with the allowance of God alone, despise the judgments of men, whether they be the foolish and froward judgments of the unskilful, or the wrongful and malicious of the wicked. For although God hath throughly settled my mind to the endeavour both of enlarging his kingdom, and of helping the common profit:

AT the first setting out of this worke, because I did not loke for that successe, which the Lord of his vnmeasurable goodnesse hath geuen, I had (as men vse to do in small workes) for the more parte lightly passed it ouer. But when I vnderstode that it was receiued with that fauor of all the godly, which I neuer durst haue desired, muche lesse haue hoped for: as I verily felt in my hart that much more was geuen to me than I had deserued, so I thought it should be a great vnthankfulnesse if I should not at the least after my sclender abilite endeuor to answere so fauourable affections towarde me, and which of themselues prouoked my diligēce. And this I attempted not only in the seconde setting fourth of it: but how oft sins that time the worke hath ben emprinted, so oft it hath ben enriched with some encreasce. But although I did not then repent me of the labor that I had employed: yet I neuer helde my selfe contented til it was disposed into that order which is now set before you. Now I trust I haue geuen you that whiche may be allowed by all your iugemētes. Truely with how great endeuor I haue applied my selfe to the doing of this seruice to the Chirche of God, I maye bring fourth for an euident witnesse, that this last winter, when I thought that the feuer Quartaue had summoned me to death, how much more the sickenesse enforced vpon me, so much lesse I spared myselfe, til I mighte leaue this boke to ouerliue me, which might make some part of thankfull recompense to so gentle prouoking of the godly. I had rather in dede it had ben done soner: but it is sone enough if well enough. And I shall then thinke that it is come abrode in good season, when I shal perceiue that it hath brought yet more plē tiful frute than it hath done heretofore to the Chirch of God. This is my only desire. And truely ful ill it were with me, if I did not, holding my selfe contented with the allowance of God alone, despise the iugementes of men, whether they be the foolishe and frowarde iugementes of the vnskilful, or the wrongfull and malicious of the wicked. For although God hath throughly settled my minde to the endeuor bothe of enlarging his kingdome, and of helping the common profit: