An abridgement of the Institution of Christian religion written

Christian reader, it is a common proverb that many hands make light work. But I have had experience in this work, that many hands have made long work, or rather no work. This book at the first publishing thereof, for more expedition was delivered to four to be translated. In whose hands it hath lien dispersed, partly done, partly undone, for the space almost of these three years. Whereby the publishing thereof hath ben hindered. At length I was requested to take in hand the translating of the whole work, which through Gods merciful assistance I have accomplished, going in truth through the whole work, except that which I my self before had done. which I make known (gentle Reader) not as hunting after praise, but to let thee understand that I have not published other mens doings under mine own name, but mine own labours, as touching the ⟨image 3⟩translation. And for thy more ease in reading this work, and for the better understanding thereof, I thought good to note thus much, that where in reading thou shalt find this mark (*) it directeth thee unto the margin, showing where thou mayest read that more largely, which is there briefly noted. Again where thou shalt find, Object. it signifieth an objection, whereby the matter in hand is contraried by the adversary, where An. it signifieth an answer to the same objection. Which things I thought good to note for thy greater ease. And thus beseeching God to bless thee in reading these my labours, I conclude.

CHristian reader, it is a common prouerbe that manie handes make light vvorke. But I haue had experience in this vvorke, that many hands haue made long vvorke, or rather no vvorke. This booke at the first publishing thereof, for more expedition vvas deliuered to foure to be translated. In vvhose hands it hath lyen dispersed, partly done, partly vndone, for the space almost of these three yeares. VVherby the publishing therof hath ben hindred. At length I vvas requested to take in hand the trāslating of the vvhole vvorke, vvhich through Gods mercifull assistance I haue accomplished, going in truth through the vvhole vvorke, except that vvhich I my selfe before had done. vvhich I make knovvne (gentle Reader) not as hunting after praise, but to let thee vnderstād that I haue not published other mens doinges vnder mine ovvne name, but mine ovvne labours, as touching the