To the Christian Reader, Grace and Peace from GOD, &c.

To the Christian Reader, Grace and Peace from GOD, &c.

IT is no small favour that we daily receive from the hands of our God▪ partly by the public ministry of his word, and partly by the private reading of such good works as by the means of many his faithful servants he hath published and spread abroad in this last age of the world. But as the beholding of this doth make many Godly minds to rejoice in that they see Gods great goodness striving continually to overcome the malice and frowardness of mans mind: So on the other side it pincheth them at the heart when they perceive not only what slender entertainment Gods graces have amongst us, but even what manifest contempt is offered unto them, while men notwithstanding the wonderful sunshine of Gods holy trueth, remain in as great darkness almost, in respect of judgement, and be as dissolute and careless in their conversation as ever they were, in the time of the most gross and palpable blindness. Would to God that the miserable experience of our days were not too plain a proof of this point: And yet this is not spoken either as in dislike of our state with some discontented people, or to the discrediting and defacing of Gods religion which we profess, with the practising Papists (who with one blow at the Gospel, would if they could, craftily cut the throat both of Religion and policy,) but in all holy love and affection, to make this careless generation more studious to labour to abound both in sound knowledge of the trueth, and in all holy obedience to the same. In which respect, not only are these few lines written at this present, but this notable work of Master Calvins Sermons upon Deuteronomy published, & that in our own native Language: wherein what pain and cost hath been bestowed, that they might come forth as beneficial to the Christian Reader as might be, though I my self may speak much in trueth as an argument of some weight, to induce the godly brethren to the buying and reading thereof; yet letting that point pass as a matter not much to be stood upon, I mind only to press those things, and that also in very few words, which shall be most material. And that is; that as all states and conditions of men may out of the same fetch many profitable points for their instruction both in faith and obedience towards God and man:

IT is no small fauour that wee daily receiue from the hands of our God▪ partly by the publike ministerie of his word, and partlie by the priuate reading of such good workes as by the meanes of manie his faithfull seruants he hath published and spread abroad in this last age of the world. But as the beholding of this doth make manie Godly mindes to reioyce in that they see Gods great goodnes striuing continuallie to ouercome the malice and frowardnesse of mans minde: So on the otherside it pincheth them at the heart when they perceiue not only what slender entertainment Gods graces haue amongst vs, but euen what manifest contempt is offered vnto them, while men notwithstanding the woonderful sunshine of Gods holie trueth, remaine in as great darkenesse almost, in respect of iudgement, and be as dissolute and carelesse in their conuersation as euer they were, in the time of the most grosse and palpable blindnes. Would to God that the miserable experience of our dayes were not too plaine a proofe of this point: And yet this is not spoken either as in dislike of our state with some discontented people, or to the discrediting and defacing of Gods religion which we professe, with the practising Papists (who with one blow at the Gospel, would if they could, craflie cut the throate both of Religion and policie,) but in all holie loue and affection, to make this carelesse generation more studious to labour to abound both in sound knowledge of the trueth, and in all holie obedience to the same. In which respect, not onelie are these few lines written at this present, but this notable worke of Master Caluins Sermons vpon Deuteronomie published, & that in our owne natiue Language: wherein what paine and cost hath beene bestowed, that they might come foorth as beneficiall to the Christian Reader as might be, though I my selfe may speake much in trueth as an argument of some weight, to induce the godly brethren to the buying and reading thereof; yet letting that point passe as a matter not much to be stoode vpon, I minde onely to presse those things, and that also in very fewe words, which shalbe most material. And that is; that as al states and conditions of men may out of the same fetch many profitable points for their instruction both in faith and obedience towards God and man:

so particularly if a man would overthrow Atheists, or confute Papists, and other Heretics, or wound the wicked, or encourage the faint hearted, or comfort the afflicted conscience cast down with the sight of sin, or perform any other service towards God, himself, or other men, he shall have matter, and that in great store plentifully ministered unto him for the performance of these and all other duties whatsoever. Wherefore I would advise thee (good Reader) to get it speedily, to read it diligently, to remember it faithfully, and to express it fruitfully in thy conversation, to the glory of God, the profit of his people, and the salvation of thine own soul through Christ. In whom I rest always.

so particularly if a man would ouerthrow Atheists, or confute Papists, and other Heretikes, or wound the wicked, or encourage the faint hearted, or comfort the afflicted conscience cast downe with the sight of sinne, or performe any other seruice towards God, himselfe, or other men, he shall haue matter, and that in great store plentifully ministred vnto him for the performance of these and all other dueties whatsoeuer. Wherefore I would aduise thee (good Reader) to get it speedilie, to reade it diligentlie, to remember it faithfullie, and to expresse it fruitfullie in thy conuersation, to the glorie of God, the profite of his people, and the saluation of thine owne soule through Christ. In whom I rest alwaies.

Thine unfeigned, T. W. the Lord his unworthy Servant.

Thine vnfayned, T. W. the Lord his vnvvoorthie Seruaunt.