B07586:18
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.
For by the trueth of doctrine, holiness of life, by the work of faith and patience, and by the duties of charity even towards them of whom ye profess that ye are wronged, ye shall rather approve your selves and your cause, then by outcries and publishing of writings, even as our Saviour is said to bring judgement to victory not by filling the streets with shouting ⟨image 8⟩and clamours, but by blowing gently into the smoking flax and tender handling the bruised reed: which things seeing they be so, I beseech you most loving brethren in Christ by that most holy name of Christ which ye profess, by those bowels of mercy, wherewith Christ hath embraced us from on high, that ye would think of another course, that ye would take another way to edification to salvation to peace. If there be any consent shake not your faith, which is not to be winnowed again by new reasons. This course is suspicious, but if it must need be sifted let it suffice you that it be first approved by those servants of God among whom ye dwell: this is certainly a lawful course: Forgive the former injuries if any have been by Christian charity to them from whom ye have received the same, & hide them from others by Christian wisdom. There is no fear, that by so doing ye shall suffer violence: God will enlarge your harts by the spirit of charity most commodiously. Look to your selves that overcoming all sharpness and all bitterness of mind ye may be acceptable to Christ and profitable to the Church; and that the odour of your piety may be spread in speech, in life, in order to all the godly most sweetly without the stench of enmity and schism. Judge not that ye be not judged: But abstain from those heavy conclusions and determinations (as they call them) against other men, neither labour either to get Abetters or partakers in that your former judgement (which would be said in you to be a spice of faction in them of impudency, or else to draw them to an unseasonable, uncivil, inconvenient or dangerous delivery of opinions. Pity your selves I beseech you (most loving brethren) and the whole flock which is gathered among you; have pity of them whom thorough error & infirmity ye cry out be hurt. Pity your entertainers among whom it were a most injurious thing that ye should sow these tares; especially being admonished.
For by the trueth of doctrine, holinesse of life, by the worke of faith and patience, and by the dueties of charitie euen towards them of whome yee professe that yee are wronged, yee shall rather approoue your selues and your cause, then by outcryes and publishing of writings, euen as our Sauiour is saide to bring iudgement to victorie not by filling the streetes with shouting