A68831:4
The whole works of W. Tyndall, John Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs,…The vvhole workes of W. Tyndall, Iohn Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs,…
The whole works of W. Tyndall, John Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs, and principal teachers of this Church of England collected and compiled in one tome together, being before scattered, [and] now in print here exhibited to the Church. To the praise of God, and profit of all good Christian readers.The vvhole workes of W. Tyndall, Iohn Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs, and principall teachers of this Churche of England collected and compiled in one tome togither, beyng before scattered, [and] now in print here exhibited to the Church. To the prayse of God, and profite of all good Christian readers.
London: printed by John Daye, 1573London: printed by Iohn Daye, 1573
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.
¶ The Epistle or Preface to the Christian Reader.
AS we have great cause to give thanks to the high providence of almighty God, for the excellent art of Printing, most haply of late found out, and now commonly practised every where, to the singular benefit of Christs Church, whereby great increase of learning and knowledge, with innumerable commodities else have ensued, and daily do ensue to the life of man, and especially to the furtherance of true Religion: so again of our part, it is both of us all in general to be wished, and especially of them to be procured, who occupy the trade thereof, rightly to use the same to the glory of him which gave it, and to the end wherefore it was ordained, and not to abuse unworthily that worthy faculty, either in thrusting into the world every unworthy trifle that cometh to hand, or having respect more to their own private gain, then regard to the public edifying of Christs Church, or necessary preferment of Religion. For therefore I suppose this science of Printing first to be set up and sent of God to mans use, not so much for temporal commodity to be taken, or mans glory to be sought thereby, but rather for the spiritual and inward supportation of soul health, help of Religion, restoring of true doctrine, repairing of Christs Church, and repressing of corrupt abuses, which had heretofore overdarckened the doctrine of faith, to revive again the lost light of knowledge to these blind times, by renewing of wholesome and ancient writers: whose doings and teachings otherwise had lien in oblivion, had not the benefit of Printing brought them again to light, or us rather to light by them. Wherefore such Printers in my mind, are not to be defrauded of their due commendation, who in pretermitting other light trifling pamphlets of matter unneedful, and impertinent, little serving to purpose, less to necessity, do employ their endeavour and workmanship chiefly to restore such fruitful works and monuments of ancient writers, and blessed Martyrs: who as by their godly life, and constant death, gave testimony to the trueth, in time wherein they suffered, so by their doctrine and learning, give now no less light to all ages and posterity after them.