MY very good Lord, forasmuch as it is the duty of all them that publish things too the world, whether as first authors, or as translators, too deal in such sort as most folk may reap profit and commodity by their doings, specially in matters of Religion, the knowledge or ignorance whereof, concern the benefit and welfare, or the hinderance and peril, not of a few, but of all men: I humbly beseech your grace, that with your clemency, favour, and well liking, which I have always hitherto through your goodness enjoyed, I may endeavour too benefit others (specially the simple and ignorant sort, for whom my care is, & ought chiefly to be) by the things which I have gathered and conceived to mine own comfort, partly out of these present Sermons of M. Calvins, and such other readings, but specially out of the very word of God it self: that they may be as a brief abridgement of this whole work, and as an entrance too the right conceiving of the doctrine of Election and Predestination, which being the chief groundwork of this Epistle to the Ephesians, minisrtr••h me just occasion to say somewhat concerning the order and right use thereof: not that I intend too take upon me too discuss the particular points thereof, or too answer the several objections ⟨image 3⟩and blasphemies which the heathenish Atheists or worldly wise scorners are wont too cast forth in derogation of that heavenly doctrine, because their- fleshly reason cannot attain too it: (for I confess that too be a matter too high for me too meddle withal, and it were more than needeth, considering how much is said thereof in these Sermons:) But only too show the gentle reader what way he may safely take, too deal therewith to his benefit and comfort. Whereunto I am the rather moved, because it commonly falleth out, that the unseasonable and unadvised dealing therewith, (partly by such as of a certain vainglory do adventure too speak the things which they know not, and partly by such as being otherwise godly and well minded, do notwithstanding enter deeper sometimes into that profound doctrine, than common capacity (yea even of good and sound Christians) can well reach unto, or ordinary skill can well wade out of again, or the present state of the hearers well bear:)
MY very good Lord, forasmuch as it is the dewtie of all them that publishe things too the world, whether as first authors, or as translators, too deale in such sort as most folke may reape profite and commoditie by their dooyngs, specially in matters of Religion, the knowledge or ignoraunce whereof, concerne the benefite and welfare, or the hinderance and perill, not of a fewe, but of all men: I humbly beseeche your grace, that with your clemencie, fauour, and well liking, which I haue alwayes hithertoo through your goodnesse inioyed, I may indeuer too benefyte others (specially the simple and ignorant sorte, for whom my care is, & ought chiefly to be) by the things which I haue gathered and conceyued to myne owne comfort, partly out of these present Sermons of M. Caluins, and such other readings, but specially out of the very woord of God it selfe: that they may bee as a briefe abridgment of this whole work, and as an enterance too the ryght concey•ing of the doctrine of Election and Predestination, which being the chief groundwoorke of this Epistle to the Ephesians, minisrtr••h mee iust occasion to say somewhat concerning the order and ryght vse therof: not that I intend too take vppon mee too discusse the particular poyntes therof, or too answer the seuerall obiections ⟨image 3⟩and blasphemies which the heathenish Atheists or worldlywise scorners are wont too cast foorth in derogation of that heauenl• ••octrine, bycause their- fleshly reason cannot atteine too it: (for I confesse that too bee a matter too hygh for mee too meddle withall, and it were more than needeth, considering how much is sayd therof in these Sermons:) But onely too shewe the gentle reader what way he may safely take, too deale therwith to his benefyte and comfort. Wherunto I am the rather moued, bycause it commonly falleth out, that the vnseasonable and vnaduyzed dealing therewith, (partly by such as of a certeine vaynglory doo aduenture too speake the things which they know not, and partly by such as beyng otherwise godly and well mynded, doo notwithstanding enter deeper sometimes intoo that profound doctrine, than common capacitie (yea euen of good and sound Christians) can well reache vnto, or ordinarie skill can well wade out of agein, or the present state of the hearers well beare:)
