Grace mercy and peace from God the Father and our Saviour Jesus Christ. I have received of late (beloved Brethren in Christ) a little book by one of your company; which is entitled, The confession of faith of some English men banished in Belgia, and have known your desire partly by the speech of the same messenger, partly by the preface of the writing. But as concerning my self, beloved brethren, whom “for nearness sake peradventure ye have thought meet to be called upon a part, I verily see not how much I can do in this cause, or how I can fit your purpose. For I know that now long since every man doth abound in his own sense; and that those that are other wise minded are“ with a brotherly mind so fare to be borne with, holding the head and foundation, till the Lord reveal things further unto them. I know it is my part not to play the busy body, but that I should serve the truth and charity in my standing and measure which the Lord hath bestowed upon me, in Christian modesty and simplicity, as far as my skill and ability will stretch unto. Certainly when I considered“ this cause more diligently, I thought nothing more commodious or more safe for the public and for you and my self, in all this matter, than that we should embrace a holy silence, if there be any thing, wherein we be offended, and that we commit our cause to the Lord, the author of our faith, and righter of our cause. But because after a sort, you will not suffer me to be silent, and to condole in secret for the wounds of the Church, which is rent more then enough, by actions, especially being thrust forth in public in this our age; I will declare faith fully, and with a good conscience before God what I think: beseeching him who is author of truth and peace that he would lead both you and me alike into all truth according to his promise, & also dispose each of our minds and affections to interpret brotherly one another's ⟨p. 32⟩requests, answers, admonitions, and finally all our duties, although (as it cometh to pass, and is incident to man) disagreeing from our sense and taste.
GRace mercie and peace from God the Father and our Saviour Iesus Christ. I have received of late (belooved Brethren in Christ) a little booke by one of your companie; which is intituled, The confession of faith of some English men banished in Belgia, and have knowne your desire partly by the speach of the same messenger, partly by the preface of the writing. But as concerning my selfe, beloved brethren, whom “for nearnes sake peradventure yee have thought meete to be called vpon a part, I verily see not how much I can doe in this cause, or how I can fit your purpose. For I knowe that now long since euery man doth abound in his owne sense; and that those that are other wise minded are“ with a brotherly mynd so fare to be borne with, holding the heade and fundation, til the Lord reveale things further vnto them. I know it is my part not to play the busie body, but that I should serve the truth and charitie in my standing and measure which the Lord hath bestowed vpon me, in Christian modestie and simplicitie, as farre as my skil and abilitie wil stretch vnto. Certainely when I considered“ this cause more diligently, I thought nothing more commodious or more safe for the publick and for you and my selfe, in all this matter, thē that we should embrace a holy silēce, if there be any thing, wherein we be offended, and that we commit our cause to the Lord, the author of our faith, and righter of our cause. But because after a sort, you will not suffer mee to be silent, and to cōdole in secret for the woundes of the Church, which is rent more then inough, by actions, especially being thrust forth in publik in this our age; I wil declare faith fully, and with a good cōscience before God what I thinke: beseeching him who is author of truth and peace that he would leade both you and me alike into all truth according to his promise, & also dispose each of our mindes and affections to interpret brotherly one anothers ⟨p. 32⟩requestes, answeres, admonitions, and finally all our duties, although (as it commeth to passe, and is incident to man) disagreeing from our sense and taste.
- “M. Junius his words are, propter vicinitatem which R.G. in his translation hath omitted.M. Iunius his words are, propter vicinitatem which R.G. in his translation hath omitted.
- “Fraterno animo.
- “Caus•• hau•.
