All which he performeth in this work with such learning, judgement, and piety, that had he herein respected the praises of men, he might well have graced his Name with his Work, even as his Work would have been graced by his Name, and not as one ashamed of so beautiful an off-spring have suffered it to come abroad into the World as an Orphan, the Father still living, only under the name of an unworthy God-father. The which I write not to commend the Author, who as he is far above my praises in the high pitch of his own worth; so doth he not desire, but rather shunneth them; and, as to the willing, an injury is no injury; so, an officious duty is no benefit, but a kind of wrong, where (the party nilling) it is forced and obtruded. Nor yet do I praise the work for the Workers sake, which, though it cometh abroad without the Fathers name, yet will, I doubt not, in short time be famous in it own name and excellency; but that I may with the weak thread of my censure draw thee to peruse it; and so will it ⟨image 4⟩sufficiently commend it self, and give there just cause of praising God for stirring up such Instruments of his Glory and thy good. The Lord make this and all other the godly labours of his faithful Servants, effectual for magnifying of his great Name, and the further 1building up of the body of his Son, till we all come in the Unity of the Faith and the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect Man, and unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, that we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lye in wait to deceive: but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things which is the Head, even Christ.
All which hee performeth in this worke with such learning, iudgement, and pietie, that had he herein respected the prayses of men, hee might well haue graced his Name with his Worke, euen as his Worke would haue beene graced by his Name, and not as one ashamed of so beautifull an off-spring haue suffered it to come abroad into the World as an Orphan, the Father still liuing, onely vnder the name of an vnworthy God-father. The which I write not to commend the Author, who as he is farre aboue my prayses in the high pitch of his owne worth; so doth he not desire, but rather shunneth them; and, as to the willing, an iniurie is no iniurie; so, an officious dutie is no benefit, but a kind of wrong, where (the partie nilling) it is forced and obtruded. Nor yet doe I prayse the worke for the Workers sake, which, though it commeth abroad without the Fathers name, yet will, I doubt not, in short time bee famous in it owne name and excellencie; but that I may with the weake thread of my censure draw thee to peruse it; and so will it ⟨image 4⟩sufficiently commend it selfe, and giue there iust cause of praysing God for stirring vp such Instruments of his Glorie and thy good. The Lord make this and all other the godly labours of his faithfull Seruants, effectuall for magnifying of his great Name, and the further 1building vp of the body of his Sonne, till we all come in the Vnitie of the Faith and the knowledge of the Sonne of God vnto a perfect Man, and vnto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ, that wee henceforth bee no more children tossed to and fro, and carryed about with euery wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftinesse, whereby they lye in wait to deceiue: but speaking the truth in loue, may grow vp into him in all things which is the Head, euen Christ.
- 1Eph. 4. 12, 13.
