A68658:3
A brief declaration of the Lords Supper, writtenA brief declaracion of the Lordes Supper, written
A brief declaration of the Lords Supper, written by the singular learned man, and most constant martyr of Jesus Christ, Nicholas Ridley Bishop of London prisoner in Oxford, a little before he suffered death for the true testimony of ChristA brief declaracion of the Lordes Supper, written by the syngular learned man, and most constaunt martir of Iesus Christ, Nicholas Ridley Bishop of London prisoner in Oxforde, a litel before he suffred deathe for the true testimonie of Christ
Emden: printed by E. van der Erve, 1555
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.
To the Reader.
Understand (good reader) that this great clerk and blessed Martyr, bishop Nicholas Ridley sought not (by setting forth this notable godly piece of learned work) the vain glory of the world, nor temporal friendship of men for his present advancement, much less he hunted hereby for Bishoprics and benefices, as all his adversaries (the enemies of Christs truth and ordinance) the Papists commonly do: but having consideration of the great charge of soul committed unto him, and of the account thereof which the justice of God would require at his hands, intending therewithal to be found blameless in the great day of the Lord, seeing he was put apart to defend the Gospel. he not only forsook lands, goods, world, friends, and him self withal, and testified the truth specified in this book by his learned mouth in the open presence of the world: but also (to leave a sure monument and love token unto his flock) he hath registered it by his own pen in this form ensuing, and sealed it up with his blood. Forasmuch than as he hath approved him self no vain disputer, no weathercock, nor hypocrite, seeing he hath willingly given his life for the truth: and inasmuch also as his love and most constant christian conscience speaketh freely unto thee, gentle reader: I beseech thee for Christs sake and thine own, lend him thine indifferent heart, and patient hearing. ❧
VNderstande (good reader) that this great clearke and blessed Martir, bishop Nicholas Ridley sought not (by setting furthe this notable godly piece of learned worke) the vayne glorie of the world, nor temporal frendship of men for his present aduauncement, muche lesse he hunted hereby for Bishoprikes and benefices, as all his aduersaries (the enemies of Christes truthe and ordinaunce) the Papistes cōmonly doo: but hauing consideracion of the great charge of soule committed vnto him, and of thaccompte therof which the iustice of God wolde require at his handes, intending therwithall to be founde blameles in the great daye of the Lorde, seing he was put aparte to defende the Gospel. he not only forsoke landes, goodes, world, frendes, and him selfe withall, and testified the truthe specified in this boke by his learned mouthe in the open presence of the worlde: but also (to leaue a sure monument and loue token vnto his flocke) he hathe regestred it by his owne penne in this forme ensuyng, and sealed it vp with his blood. Forasmuch than as he hath approued him selfe no vayne disputour, no wethercocke, nor hipocrite, seyng he hathe willingly geuen his lyfe for the truthe: and inasmuche also as his loue and most constaunt christian conscience speaketh frely vnto thee, gentill reader: I beseche thee for Christes sake and thyne owne, lende him thine indifferent heart, and pacient hearyng. ❧