A17727:13
Three propositions or speeches, which that excellent man M. John Calvin, one of the…Three propositions or speeches, which that excellent man M. Iohn Caluin, one of the…
Three propositions or speeches, which that excellent man M. John Calvin, one of the pastors of the Church of God in Geneva had there To which also is added, an exposition upon that part of the catechism, which is appointed for the three and fortieth Sunday in number. Translated into English, by T.VV.Three propositions or speeches, which that excellent man M. Iohn Caluin, one of the pastors of the Church of God in Geneua had there To which also is added, an exposition vpon that parte of the catechisme, which is appointed for the three and fortieth Sunday in number. Translated into Englishe, by T.VV.
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for George Bishop, 1580
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.
So that they which stand so nicely upon these matters, do ⟨image 9⟩not only bewray, great, either ignorance, if they can not preach them, or unfaithfulness, if they do not utter them,1 because they keep back some part of the most necessary points of Gods counsel, but also testify what little hunger and thirst they have, for the salvation of their brethren, who ought to be as dear unto them as them selves.2 Doth not Christ him self say, that this is life eternal, that men know God to be the only very God, and him whom he hath sent Jesus Christ? And doeth not Paul pray,3 that the Ephesians may know, the breadth, length, depth and height, that is all perfection if it were possible? Oh but it is not yet time to propound them, say they.4 Surely then I know not when it will be time. I fear me, least that may be justly verified in us, which the Apostle speaketh of the Jews, ⟨image 9⟩that whereas in respect of time we ought to have been teachers to others, yet we have need, again to have the first principles of the word of God laid amongst us, and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. Is it not a shame to be children always? and are not those nurses much to be blamed, that either can not or will not in xx. years space teach their children to speak readily, and to go strongly? Would to God we might once set aside the doctrine of the beginning of Christ,5 and be lead forward to perfection. And yet in all this I allow not of their curiosity, that with unwashen hands, and void of reverence (to the end they may be thought profound, and deep in judgement amongest men) will enter into vain speculations concerning these & some other points ⟨image 10⟩of which sort are the Popish School Doctors, yea and many amongst us that to much do tread in their steppes. There is a mean (if we could see it, and GOD would give us grace to embrace and use the same) between fantastical curiosity, and beastly blindness. It behooveth all, but specially those that profess godliness, as on the one side to know & prove, what that good acceptable & perfect will of God is,