namely, that the thing which is done or bestowed too utter thankfulness withal, ought to be very good, very durable, and very acceptable to the party that is to receive it. That the two former points are in this work, which I (upon trust of your Lordships former goodness and accustomed favour) do take upon me to dedicate to your name, and that the third point also shall accompany it: the reasons that persuade me are these. The things that of their own nature tend only to the welfare and benefit of man, must of necessity be very good: and of the things that are good, those are always ⟨image 3⟩best, which may redound to the commodity of most persons, and which being once possessed, cannot be taken away against the vvill of the possessor: Seeing then that the foundation of this work is a parcel of holy scripture, and that (as sayeth S. Paul) all Scripture given by inspiration of God is profitable to teach,1 to reprove, to amend, and to furnish men with righteousness,2 that they may be perfect and forward to all good works: insomuch that it is the power of God tending to the welfare of all that believe, both Jews and Gentiles: and therewithal containeth promises not only of this present life, but also of the life too come: it cannot but be of the self same nature, property and operation that the rest of the scriptures are, because (as sayeth S. Peter) the scripture came not by the vvill of man,3 but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost. And hereupon springeth another commendation to the proof of the goodness of this work, that the Author thereof is God the sovereign goodness it self, and not man. To be short, the same reasons may serve also to prove the durableness thereof.4 For besides that God him self protesteth that his word shall endure for ever,5 and that the very heavens shall perish before any one jot of his sayings take not effect: inasmuch as this book containeth not worldly uncertain and perishing, but heavenly, assured and everlasting benefits: nor things available to few, but profitable to all unless they themselves be to blame: and moreover that God is the Author thereof: it must by all likelihood needs continue with other of the same sort, at leastwise among the godly, not for a day or two, but so long as men shall have need to be edified and strengthened in Christ.
namely, that the thing vvhich is done or bestovved too vtter thankfulnesse vvithall, ought to be very good, very durable, and very acceptable to the partie that is to receiue it. That the tvvo former poynts are in this vvorke, vvhich I (vpon trust of your Lordships former goodnesse and accustomed fauour) do take vpon mee to dedicate to your name, and that the third poynt also shall accompanie it: the reasons that persvvade mee are these. The things that of their ovvne nature tende only to the vvelfare and benefite of man, must of necessitie be very good: and of the things that are good, those are alvvaies ⟨image 3⟩best, vvhich may redound to the cōmoditie of most persones, and vvhich being once possessed, cannot be taken avvay against the vvill of the possesser: Seing then that the foundation of this vvorke is a parcell of holy scripture, and that (as sayeth S. Paule) all Scripture giuen by inspiratiō of God is profitable to teach,1 to reproue, to amend, and to furnish men vvith rightuousnesse,2 that they may be perfect and forevvard to al good vvorkes: in somuch that it is the povver of God tending to the vvelfare of all that beleeue, both Ievves and Gentyles: and therevvithall conteyneth promises not only of this present life, but also of the life too come: it cānot but be of the self same nature, propertie and operation that the rest of the scriptures are, bicause (as sayeth S. Peter) the scripture came not by the vvill of man,3 but holy men of God spake as they vvere moued by the holie Ghost. And herevpon springeth another cōmendacion to the proofe of the goodnesse of this vvorke, that the Author therof is God the souerain goodnesse it selfe, and not man. To be short, the same reasons may serue also to proue the durablenesse thereof.4 For besides that God him selfe protesteth that his vvord shall indure for euer,5 and that the very heauens shal perish before any one iote of his sayings take not effect: in asmuch as this booke cōteyneth not vvorldly vncertaine and perishing, but heauenly, assured and euerlasting benefites: nor things auaylable to fevve, but profitable to all vnlesse they thēselues be to blame: and moreouer that God is the Author thereof: it must by all likelyhood needes continue vvith other of the same sort, at leastvvise among the godly, not for a day or tvvo, but so long as men shall haue neede to be edified and strengthened in Christ.
- 12. Tim. 3. d▪
- 2Rom. 1. b.
- 32. Pet. 1. d.
- 4Esa. 40. b.
- 51. Pet. 1. d.
