A17689:55
Of the Life or Conversation of a Christian Man
Of the life or conversation of a Christen man, a right godly treatise, written [sic] in the latin tongue, by master John Calvin, a man of right excellent learning and of no less godly conversation. Translated into English by Thomas Broke Esquire Paymaster of Dover. An[no] M. D. XLix. The first day of JanuaryOf the life or conuersation of a Christen man, a right godly treatise, wyrtten [sic] in the latin tonge, by maister Iohn Caluyne, a man of ryghte excellente learnynge and of no lesse godly conuersation. Translated into English by Thomas Broke Esquier Paymaister of Douer. An[no] M. D. XLix. The first day of Ianuary
London: printed by John Daye and, 1549London: printed by Iohn Daye and, 1549
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
or by evil children bringeth them low and abateth their pride: or by taking their children from them afflicteth them. Now if in all these things he somewhat cocker or spare them, for all that, lest either through foolish rejoicing ⟨image 61⟩they should wax proud: or through trust in those things should exceedingly rejoice: he setteth before their eyes at the least way be other mens diseases, and dangers, how unsteadfast and slipper are all those goods (as men call them) which are transitory or subject to mortality. Therefore, then only have we well profited in the doctrine of the cross, when we learn, that this life, when we esteem it in it self only, is unquiet, troublesome innumerable ways miserable, and no way thoroughly blessed or happy: and that all the things, which be called the goods of it are uncertain, transitory, vain, yea and defiled with many mingled mischiefs: & what thereupon, we do there with decree, nothing here to be sought for, or hoped, but conflict, or battle: ⟨image 61⟩and therefore that our eyes ought to be lift up unto heaven, where we look to have a crown. ☞For this we must reckon: the mind never to be earnestly lift up unto the desire and contemplation of the life to come, except it be first taught to despise or set light by this present life. For between the these two, there is no middle point, but either the earth must be esteemed of us as vile: or else it will keep us bound unto it with an inordinate love. Therefore if we have any desire of everlasting life, we must diligently look unto this, that we may unshackle our selves out of these naughty gifts. Furthermore because this present life hath many pleasant toys, whereby enticeth us: & many outward appearances of pleasures and of gifts and of things sweet ⟨image 62⟩in taste, whereby it flattereth or enticeth us, stroking our heads, and calling us goldpolles: it standeth us much upon, ever now and then, to call our selves back, lest we be bewitched with such pleasant deceitfulness, or deceitful pleasure. ☞For how would the world go with us, (I pray ye) yea how would we dote upon it, if we should have here continual abundance of goods and felicity? when with continual pricks and scabs of evils, we can not enough be moved to consider the misery of this life.
or by euel chyldrē bringeth them lowe and abateth their pride: or by takinge their chyldren from them afflicteth thē. Nowe if in al these thynges he somewhat cocker or spare them, for all that, leaste eyther throughe folyshe reioysinge