A17684:6
A little book of John Calvins concerning offences whereby at this day divers are…A little booke of Iohn Caluines concernynge offences whereby at this daye diuers are…
A little book of John Calvins concerning offences whereby at this day divers are feared, and many also quite withdrawn from the pure doctrine of the Gospel, a work very needful and profitable. Translated out of Latin into English by Arthur Golding.A little booke of Iohn Caluines concernynge offences whereby at this daye diuers are feared, and many also quight withdrawen from the pure doctrine of the Gospell, a woorke very needefull and profitable. Translated out of Latine into Englishe by Arthur Goldinge.
London: printed by H. Wykes, 1567
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
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 Laurence Normandy a man endowed with excellent gifts, John Calvin sendeth greeting.
To Laurence Normandie a man endewed with excellent gyftes, Iohn Caluin sendeth gréetinge.
Whereas for many considerations, I had vowed some part of my travels unto you in my hart, I have deemed this little work worthy to be chosen before others, because your example may avail, and that not smally, to bring in credit the doctrine which it containeth. For since the time, that forsaking your country willingly, you have come hither as a banished man, we two can best bear witness with how many and how violent practises of Satan you have been assaulted: & yet there are other also that know of it. The fourth month after your departing, came tidings of your Fathers death. It could not be but that you must needs think that, which malicious persons letted not to speak, how the cause ⟨image 6⟩of his death might be ascribed to thought, to the intent that all the blame might be laid upon your neck. Anon after followed a most sharp wound, that your wife being such a woman as every good man would wish him self the like, was taken away in the chief flower of her age. Here also it could not otherwise be, but that divers temptations pierced your mind, being not a man of a blockish nature. Now sounded in your ears the slanders of evil men, that she was drawn out of her native soil in an unlucky hour, to leave her wretched life, almost in an other world. But this touched you nearer at the hart: that they should have any colour, because they reported that your purpose was cursed of the Lord with a sorrowful issue. I omit the other innumerable prickings which you could not but feel inwardly. For seeing widowhood is a grievous evil, it was to exceeding a grief to you, to be deprived of such a companion of your life. And to increase the heap of your sorrows, last of all came also the burial of your little daughter. In the mean while the Devil poured