1And the Prophet Joel said also, how the people of […] new Testament should see visions. And so doeth the bl• sed Apostle S. Peter, expound the same place in the A•• of the Apostles, speaking of the people of the new Tes• meant. And our Saviour Christ in the Gospel, propound and declared to the people the most part of the mysteries parables, and in manner by feigned fables, as they call th• And how much think you do these visions, types, and • gures of S. John, differ from the same? This kind of sp•• doth not darken matters, but maketh them plain: And •• keth much for the efficacy and perspicuity, and for the c• firming of the memory. For by this mean, matters be […] only declared with words, and heard with the ears: […] are set forth also to be seen of the eyes, and after a sort be fi• in the memory.2 Many for this cause attribute much to pa• ting: But I suppose that I may much more rightly attribute very much to this manner of speaking and teaching, wher• the matter is uttered, not by a coloured, dumb, & dead pa• ting, but as it were with a speaking & lively manner set fo• to be seen of the eyes. Which is therefore propounded, th• men might rightly and exactly understand the same. Alb• therefore that this whole book in a manner consisteth of vision and figures:3 Yet shall we in deed, through the inspiration […] Gods grace, show in our exposition, that all that same m• keth for the perspicuity and plainness, and not for the obse• ring or darkening of most high and godly matters. I wy• ⟨p. 3⟩bring my exposition out of the very scriptures, by conferring joining thereunto the rule of faith and charity. I will search out the circumstances, the things that follow & go before: I will bring similitudes & dissimilitudes: I will add also there unto the experience of things, & the faith of histories. Which manner of expounding the scriptures all interpreters have always granted to be sound & true.4 If better things shall be revealed to others, I will gladly after the precept of the apostle give place unto my betters. For I offer these my doings to be weighed of the godly, upon this condition, that they should try all things, & that which they shall find to be good, to hold fast.
1And the Prophet Ioel sayd also, howe the people of 〈…〉 newe Testament should see visions. And so doeth the bl• sed Apostle S. Peter, expounde the same place in the A•• of the Apostles, speakyng of the people of the newe Tes• ment. And our Sauiour Christ in the Gospell, propoun• and declared to the people the moste part of the misteries parables, and in maner by fayned fables, as they call th• And how much thinke you doe these visions, types, and • gures of S. Iohn, differ from the same? This kynd of sp•• doth not darken matters, but maketh them plaine: And •• keth much for the efficacitie and perspicuitie, and for the c• firming of the memory. For by this meane, matters be 〈…〉 only declared with wordes, and heard with the eares: 〈…〉 are set forth also to be sene of the eies, and after a sort be fi• in the memory.2 Many for this cause attribute much to pa• ting: But I suppose that I may much more rightli attribu• very much to this maner of speaking and teaching, wher• the matter is vttered, not by a coulored, domme, & dead pa• ting, but as it were with a speaking & liuely maner set fo• to be sene of the eies. Whiche is therfore propounded, th• men myght rightly and exactly vnderstand the same. Alb• therfore that this whole boke in a maner consisteth of visio• and figures:3 Yet shall we in dede, through the inspiration 〈…〉 Gods grace, shew in our exposition, that all that same m• keth for the perspicuitie and plainenes, and not for the obse ring or darkening of most high and godly matters. I wy
- 1Acts. 10.Actes. 10.
- 2The plains of the scripture.The plaines of the scripture.
- 3What shall be the exposition of this book,What shall be the expositiō of this boke,
- 41 Cor. 14 1 Tess. 5
