Epistle to Prince Edward, Title page – To the reader
An epiſtle both of GoDLy Conſolacion and alſo of aduertiſement, written by Iohn Caluine the paſtour & preacher of Geneua, to the right noble prince EDvvarde Duke of Somerſet, before the tyme or knoweledge had of his trouble, but delyuered to the ſayde Duke, in the time of his trouble, and ſo tranſlated out of frenſhe by the ſame Duke.
To the Chriſtian reader.
THat nothing is more odious or deteſtable afore god then the diſobedience of ſubiectes againſt their Kynges and Gouernours, maye partly by moſte open teſtimonies of holy Scripture euydentlye appeare, and partly by thys argument be manifeſtly proued, that it hath neuer yet vntounto thys daye, neyther in goddes elected people the Iſraelytes, nor yet in anye other common weale, eyther Heathen or Chriſtyan, eſcaped without moſte grieuous plages and puniſhmētes. Yet neuertheles ſo merciful a god he is, of ſo long ſufferance, ſo lothe to ſtryke, and ſo deſyrous of mans amendment: that it hath pleaſed his diuyne maieſtie, ere he will take extreme vengeaunce for tumultuous dyſobedyence of the people agaynſte theyr heades, to geue manye ſondrye kyndes of warnynges for vsus to beware by. Firſt he hath nowe in theſe laſt daies, reyſed vp many godly preachers, who ceaſe not daylye to publiſh (as it were) gods proc…amacion in thys behalfe, plainely declaryng to all eſtates and degrees, what theyr duety is. He hath prouided many godly exhortacions and treatyſes dayly to come forth to the ſame effect & purpoſe. Yea, and leſte any manne ſhould thinke yt he will daly in ſuche a matter, he made vsus ye laſt Soomer here in England to feele a littel touch of his ſharpe rod, by the kinges regal ſworde, beyng a moſt euydent token of hys great wrath and indignacy on agaynſte all Rebelles, and ſedicious murmurers. God hath of his infinite goodnes not only made litle Englāde ſtrong enoughe to withſtand al forein puiſſaunce, (yf we holde togethers, and agree well emonges our ſelues, obeying the king and magiſtrates as we ought to dooe:) but alſo by many vndoubtable tokens hathe declared that he myndeth (as it were) to make hys habytacyon and dwellyng place here emong vsus, of purpoſe to be our ſure defence and proteccion, yf we wil receiue him accordyngly. But in caſe we wilbe ſo hard herted, as wilfully to refuſe the grace of his goſpell moſt mercyfully and moſt fatherly offered vntounto vsus: it cannot bee doubted ne auoyded, but that thextreme plages of gods wrath and vengeaunce will at length lyght vponupon all ſuch as eyther of an vngodly hearte will ſwell and ſtryue agaynſt the grace and trueth of hys woorde, which he hath ſent amonges vsus: or els of a malicious frowardnes wil repine, and murmure agaynſt theyr heades & rulers. Wherfore thou haſ… here ſet furth vntounto the, good Chriſtian reader, an Epiſtle of Iohn Caluyne, written in frenche vntounto the ryght noble prynce Edward Duke of Somerſet, and ſent hither into Englande immediately vponupon the late commocion here in thys realme. And by thys Epiſtle it maye to the godly reader very wel appeare, how tenderly god of hys goodnes dooeth embrace vsus, and doeth (as it were) ſet vsus in hys owne lappe, myndyng to kepe vsus ſafe frō al perils of outward enemies, vnderunder the ſhadowe and ſure defence of his own winges. He declareth himſelf ſo mercifully to prouide for vsus, (if we will gladlye and willinglye receyue hys grace, and ſtande therein) that he maketh them careful for vsus that neuer wer in Englād, nor neuer had to doe with vsus, ſauing onelyonly that (as the nature and propertie of chriſtian charitie is) they wiſhe and daylye praye, that we maye hauehave grace ſo to vſe oure ſelues, that the bleſſing of god which he hath ſo plē tuouſlye powred vponupon vsus, maye not through our vnthankefulnes bee taken away agayne: whiche foraſmuch as it ſo is▪ let not vsus be leſſe carefull for our ſelues, than other ſtraungers be. Let vsus not hauehave receiued the grace of God in vayne. Let vsus ſtand in the trueth, and cleaue to Chriſtes goſpel, and by the ſame, lette vsus practiſe (as it teacheth vsus) to obeye quietely and willingly our rulers and gouernours by him appointed. Which it we do, he wil ſo defende vsus with his almightiful arme, yt al foreyne enemies (what euer they be) ſhal eyther bee vnhable to doe vsus any ſcathe: or els ſhall be turned in theyr heartes, and of eager enemies ſhall beecome oure earneſt frendes and folowers. Whiche thinge GOD graunte.
To whome be all honor and prayſe, worlde without end.
AMEN.