A17722:7
Thirteen sermons of Master John Calvin, entreating of the free election of God in…Thirteene sermons of Maister Iohn Caluine, entreating of the free election of God in…
Thirteen sermons of Master John Calvin, entreating of the free election of God in Jacob, and of reprobation in Esau A treatise wherein every Christian may see the excellent benefits of God towards his children, and his marvellous judgements towards the reprobate, first published in the French tongue, & now translated into English, by John Field, for the comfort of all Christians.Thirteene sermons of Maister Iohn Caluine, entreating of the free election of God in Iacob, and of reprobation in Esau A treatise wherin euery Christian may see the excellent benefites of God towardes his children, and his maruelous iudgements towards the reprobate, firste published in the French toung, & now translated into English, by Iohn Fielde, for the comfort of all Christians.
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Thomas Man and Toby Cooke, 1579London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Thomas Man and Tobie Cooke, 1579
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 the right Honourable and my very good Lord, the Earle of Bedford, one of her Majesties most honourable privy Council, and to the Honourable, godly, and virtuous Lady, the Countess his wife: John Field wisheth increase of godliness and constancy by Jesus Christ for ever. AMEN.
To the right Honorable and my verie good Lorde, the Earle of Bedford, one of her Maiesties most honorable priuie Councell, and to the Honorable, godly, and vertuous Ladie, the Countesse his wife: Iohn Fielde wisheth encrease of godlines and constancie by Iesus Christ for euer. AMEN.
Because I can not (my very good Lord and Lady, whom the Lord I say by the profession of his glorious Gospel hath made right Honourable) by any other means testify the duty that I owe you, but in such poor sort as this is, I most humbly beseech you to accept of it. Look not upon it as it is in it self: but value it according to the hearty affection of the giver, who with all duty protesteth his humble service towards your Honour, to the uttermost that he shall be able for the advancement of your knowledge, increase of godliness and spiritual gain, in the true practise of Gods blessed & holy trueth, the greatest benefit that ever God in mercy could have bestowed upon you. I am sorry that my skill is no better, to help you forward in that so excellent a work: but forasmuch as God accepteth us according to that measure we have received, I hope you of your Honourable courtesy, will likewise take it well, that I show this remembrance of you in presenting such a present as he hath bestowed upon me. And this I will say: though in respect of my labour it be ⟨image 3⟩homely, yet in respect of the matter it is most excellent: a work of one of the rarest instruments whom god hath raised up, in these last times to give light amidst our great ignorance, & to draw many to that blessed knowledge, which I beseech God we may both thankfully accept of: & also diligently conform ourselves with all obedience, to live according to it: that the Lord do not either take this blessing from us, or else bring upon us severe judgements, for abusing so excellent a treasure. I know some unthankful wretches, puffed up with pride & a vain opinion of them selves, will hardly endure that I should speak thus either of the work, or of this singular instrument of God. For the nature of mens corruption is such, and specially of such as seek to be magnified one of another, that they tread under their feet Gods glory: and being behind others in gifts, they pout and swell against them whose shoe latchets they are not worthy to loose: Besides that they are so corrupt, either being open Papists, counterfeit professors or manifest heretics, that they can abide no sincerity.