B07586:12
A Christian letter
A Christian letter, containing a grave and godly admonition to such as make separation from the church assemblies in England and elsewhere. Written in Latin, by that most Reverend and learned man, Master Francis Junius, divinity reader at Leiden in Holland, and translated into English, by R G..A Christian letter, containing a graue and godly admonition to such as make separation from the church assemblies in England and elsewhere. VVritten in Latine, by that most Reuerend and learned man, Master Francis Iunius, diuinitie reader at Leyden in Holland, and translated into English, by R G..
London: printed for Robert Dexter, 1602
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.
A Christian an humble, and godly mind ought to be otherwise affected, and setting aside the respect of their own private good, instantly so to determine, that the earth should rather swallow them up (as the Poet saith) and let me rather be accursed for my brethren, then that by me, and for my credit sake one of these little ones should be offended and kept from coming to Christ, and abiding in Christ my Saviour. Verily let what will of my estimation go to wrack, who am a Christian, let me be trampled under all mens feet, so that by my fact, I take nothing from Christ, no not the least thing from his body. And that you my brethren, should determine and resolve, to bend all your counsels to this end; I am as strongly persuaded, as he that is most. But what end have ye in common? alas for grief in this particular case (pardon if I speak more freely, for ye would have me to speak) ye seem to have erred: for herein, if I see any thing, the contemplation of your particular cause hath deceived you, which thing ye your selves without doubt will mark if ye would go a little from that your particular sense.
A Christian an humble, and godly minde ought to bee otherwise affected, and setting aside the respect of their owne priuate good, instantly so to determine, that the earth should rather swallowe them vp (as the Poet saith) and let mee rather bee accursed for my brethren, then that by me, and for my credit sake one of these little ones should be offended and kept from comming to Christ, and abiding in Christ my Sauiour. Verily let what will of my estimation goe to wracke, who am a Christian, let me be trampled vnder all mens feete, so that by my fact, I take nothing from Christ, no not the least thing from his bodie. And that you my brethren, should determine and resolue, to bend all your coūsels to this end; I am as strongly perswaded, as he that is most. But what end haue yee in common? alas for griefe in this particular case (pardon if I speake more freely, for yee would haue me to speake) yee seeme to haue erred: for herein, if I see any thing, the contemplation of your particular cause hath deceiued you, which thing yee your selues without doubt will marke if ye would goe a little from that your particular sense.
I have showed that there is some error in that end. Let us come to the fact. In the fact ye have framed a purgation of your selves. That thing is denied to none, if there shall be a cause, if a measure, if a place, if a time. But wherefore with me brethren, who do neither hear these accusations of yours; neither if I should hear them would I receive them rashly? Wherefore in public?