Commentary on Colossians, Title page – Dedication
A Commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine, vponupon the Epiſtle to the Coloſsians.
And tranſlated into Engliſh by R. V.
Pray for the peace of Hieruſalem, they shall proſper that louelove thee. Pſal. 122.6.
AT LONDON, Printed by Thomas Purfoote, and are to be ſold at his ſhop ouer againſt S. Sepulchers Church.
TO THE VVORSHIPFVL and reuerende fathers maiſter Noel, Deane of Poules, M. Mullins Archdeacon of London, maiſter D. Walker, Archdeacon of Eſſex, & maiſter Towers profeſſor of diuinity, his ſinguler good friendes and Patrons, R. V. wiſheth all health.
MAny in the dedicatiōs of their trauails are accustomed to ſet forth the praiſes of ſuch parſons as they do dedicate the ſame vntounto. And ſurely J thinke it not amiſſe if flattery be abſent. For who is ignorāt that virtus laudata creſcit, praiſe vertue, and it ſhall encreaſe. I ſpeake not this right worſhipful and reuerende fathers, to the ende that J meane to do the like to you, although no man that knoweth you but he will ſay you worthelye deſerue the ſame: for if J ſhoulde either praiſe your learning or diligence in your vocation which eueryevery where is knowen, or your, godly cōuerſation which vntounto your nigheſt frendes is well tried, or your liberality which all thoſe that hauehave neede, but ſpetially the Godly poore hauehave found and daily do fynde, who might iuſtly reprehēd me: but letting paſſe theſe thinges to the conſideratiō of vpright iudges, I purpoſe to ſhew and that very brieflye what hath moued me to dedicate this preſent booke vntounto your worſhippes. you knowe that I receaued at your handes (that worthye man maiſter D. Watts beynge then aliue, whom with reuerence I remember) that liuinge which J hauehave: and althoughe you ſell not your benefices (as manye in theſe dayes do) yet reaſon woulde that J ſhould not remaine vnthankefull for the ſame, though it were a greate deale leſſe then it is. And wheras want of abilitye vvould not ſuffer me to recōpence othervvyſe your good will, yet rather then ſtill I ſhould continue vnthankeful, I choſe this litle commentary of that worthye father M. Caluine to ſupply that which els might be left vndon: vvherin J vviſh that my hart lay open to be vievved: then vvould you not more regard the thinge it ſelfe, vvhichwhich no doubt is vvorthy the accepting, thē the good vvil of him that preſenteth the ſame vntounto you. Fare you vvel. At high Easter the firſt of Nouember.
Yours to commaund R. V.