Such as of late years have rent themselves from the holy service of God, used im the public congregations and Churches of England, being destitute of any sound warrant from the word of God, have sought from time to time so much the more earnestly (as the manner of such is) to shroud themselves under the shadow of humane authority. Hence it came to pass that Master Francis Junius, a man of great learning, and godliness, was solicited by some of them (as may appear by these letters ensuing) in the year 99. to be a favourer of their erroneous opinions and of their unchristian disordered and undutiful proceedings: whose answer, being delivered by himself to a religious and worshipful knight, and so coming to my hands, I have presumed to communicate with thee, by the motion of some godly and well disposed, hoping that through the blessing of God, and thy prayers it may prove a good means to stay such as are wavering, to confirm such as do stand, and to recover such as are fallen. For although he do not enter into an exact discussing of the question with arguments, objections, and answers: yet he useth a very grave and godly admonition, which is oftentimes of greater fruit, then a long and learned disputation. And whosoever doth diligently study the book of God, shall find, that the holy Prophets & Apostles do in many places insist upon a plain & simple asleve•ation of the truth rather then upon multitude of proof & arguments. Besides, if we observe the story of the holy Martyrs of our own Church & others, we may perceive that by the sound profession of their faith, and suffering for the same, they have glorified God and advanced the kingdom of Jesus Christ aswell as others have done by arguments and reasons. And yet notwithstanding if thou do well observe these letters of Master Junius, thou shalt find in them not vain and empty words: but weighty and sound reasons grounded upon the holy Scriptures of God. Thus praying thee to take these first fruits of my poor labours in this kind in good part, and beseeching god to give a blessing hereunto; I bid thee heartily farewell in the Lord.
SVch as of late yeares have rent themselues from the holie service of God, used im the publique congregations and Churches of England, being destitute of any sound warrant from the worde of God, have sought from time to time so much the more earnestly (as the manner of such is) to shroude themselves vnder the shadowe of humane authoritie. Hēce it came to passe that Master Francis Iunius, a mā of great learning, and godlinesse, was solicited by some of them (as may appeare by these letters ensuing) in the yeare 99. to be a favourer of their erronious opinions and of their vnchristian disordered and vndutifull proceedings: whose answere, being delivered by himselfe to a religious and worshipful knight, and so comming to my handes, I have presumed to communicate with thee, by the motion of some godly and well disposed, hoping that through the blessing of God, and thy prayers it may proove a good meanes to stay such as are wavering, to confirme such as doe stand, and to recover such as are fallen. For although he doe not enter into an exact discussing of the question with arguments, objections, and answeres: yet he vseth a very grave and godly admonition, which is oftentimes of greater fruite, then a long and learned disputation. And whosoever doth diligently studie the booke of God, shal finde, that the holy Prophets & Apostles do in manie places insist upō a plaine & simple asleve•ation of the truth rather then vpon multitude of proof & arguments. Besides, if we observe the story of the holy Martyrs of our own Church & others, we may preceive that by the sound profession of their faith, and suffering for the same, they have glorified God and advanced the kingdome of Iesus Christ aswel as others have done by arguments and reasons. And yet notwithstanding if thou do well obserue these letters of Master Iunius, thou shalt finde in them not vaine and emptie wordes: but waightie and sounde reasons grounded upon the holie Scriptures of God. Thus praying thee to take these first fruites of my poore laboures in this kinde in good part, and beseching god to give a blessing hereunto; I bid thee heartily farewel in the Lord.
