Gods Effectual Calling, Title page – Dedication 1
A TREATISE OF GODS EFFECTVAL CALLING:
WRITTEN FIRST IN THE LATINE tongue, by the reuerend and faithfull ſeruant of Christ, Maister ROBERT ROLLOCK, Preacher of Gods word in Edenburgh. AND NOW FAITHFVLLY TRANSLATED for the benefite of the vnlearned, into the Engliſh tongue, by Henry Holland, Preacher in London.
2. PET. 1. 10.
GiueGive diligent heede to make your calling and election ſure.
AT LONDON Imprinted by FELIX KYNGSTON. 1603.
THE AVTHORS EPISTLE TO THE MOST HIGH AND MIGHTIE Prince, IAMES the ſixt, now by Gods free merciemercy, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, &c. grace and peace by Ieſus Christ.
AFter ſome aduiſing with my ſelfe, in whoſe name I ſhould publiſh this litle worke, your Maieſtie (my moſt dread Soueraigne) aboue all others came firſt into my mind, for that you may iuſtly challenge as your owne right, the firſt fruites of my labours, of what kinde ſoeuer they be. Hauing then heretofore conſecrated the firſt fruites of the firſt kind of my writings vntounto your Highnes: I thought it meete alſo, that this ſecond kinde of meditations (in the common places of diuinitie) ſhould be preſented to the ſame your Maieſtie. From this purpoſe although many things feared me, among which your princely Maieſtie (to ſpeak as the truth is) adorned with rare knowledge of diuine things, did moſt occupie my minde: your Maieſtie, I ſay the greatnes whereof, my owne meannes, and the ſlendernes of this work, were not able to endure. Yet when I recounted with my ſelfe how great your curteſie and gentlenes was alwaies accuſtomed to bee towards all men, but eſpecially towards my ſelfe; I determined rather to incurre ſome ſuſpition of ouermuch boldnes, then not to giuegive teſtimonie of my dutie, and of my moſt humble deuotion towards your Maieſtie, euen by the dedication of this ſmall worke of mine how meane ſoeuer it be. Reſpect therefore (moſt noble King) not ſo much this ſmal worke, as the teſtimonie of a mind moſt dutifully affected towards your Maieſtie in the Lord, and as my dutie requireth, moſt readie according to my ſmall abilitie, with all lowlines to do your Maieſtie moſt humble ſeruice in any thing that I can during life. But what is there wherein I can do your Maieſtie better ſeruice then in ſtriuing with my God, with continuall & earneſt prayers, that through his grace and ſingular goodnes you may for euer maintaine, continue, and make good that excellent opinion which you hauehave (not vndeſeruedly) alreadie gotten, in forraine nations amongſt ſuch men, as are moſt eminent in this our age, both for learning and godlines: that ſo you may hauehave a happie raigne in this preſent life, and in that other life may be a fellow heire of that heauenly kingdome: in compariſon of the glorie of which kingdome) that I may ſpeake this by the way) I my ſelfe a good while ſince, hauehave heard you deſpiſe al theſe earthly kingdoms, at ſuch time as amongſt other matters, in a certain familiar conference, where there were but a fewe preſent, you diſcourſed of many things learnedly (I ſpeake the truth to the glorie of God, without any flatterie) and godlily, and delightfully, concerning Chriſt, and of praying to him onelyonly, and not to Angels, or Saints departed out of this life) you may, I ſay, be a fellow heire together with your head, euen that moſt high King, Lord, and heire of all things Ieſus Chriſt, whoſe grace, merciemercy and power defend and protect you both in bodie and ſoule, from all your enemies, bodily and ghoſtly for euermore.
Your Maieſties moſt dutifull Seruant, ROBERT ROLLOCK.