DOMINO THOMAE BROMLAEO , EQVITI AVRATO , NON MINVS EGREGIA PIETATIS , MORVM , AC LITERARVM LAVDE , QVAM SVMMI IN ANGLIA CANCELLARIATVS AMPLITVDINE ILLVSTRI ; THOMAS ROGERIVS HOS VERE QVIDEM AVREOS DE CHRISTO IMITANDO LIBELLOS , A SE E LATINO CONVERSOS , CASTIGATOS , ET VARIIS , AC MVLTIPLICIBVS SS. SCRIPTVRAE SENTENTIIS INSIGNITOS , IN GRATI ANIMI TESTIMONIVM CONSECRAVIT .

SEbastian Castellio hauing translated this booke into Latine , thought it good by waie of Preface to giue some reasons , both why he had translated the same being in Latine alreadie ; and why so he had translated it , leauing somewhat of the Autor out .

The case standeth with me as it did with Castellio . Therfore am I to yeeld some reasons both why I haue translated this book into English being in English alreadie ; and why so I haue translated it , leauing somewhat out , as I haue done .

For the first I saie , that neither is my doing for noueltie strange ; nor am I ( as I trust ) to be reproued therefore . For both I haue examples of good men in al sciences , and professions , who to their great commendation haue done the like ; as maie witnes the sundrie and diuers interpretations of the workes of Aristotle , and Plato for philosophie ; of Demosthenes and Isocrates , for Oratorie ; of Galen and Hippocrates , for Physick ; for Diuinitie of the sacred Bible : and also I haue taken the translation thereof vpon me , not so much to translate , as to illustrate the same with places of Scripture . For doubtles great pittie was it , that a booke so plentifulie , or altogether rather fraighted with sentences of the Scripture , was either no whit , as in some , or no better , as in the best impressions , quoted . Besides , I haue not onlie shewed the chapter , but the verie sentence also of euerie chapter where what is written maie be found : a thing which , that I heare of , none afore me hath done . The bringing of which to passe , how paineful it hath bene to me , he alone can best report , who either hath done or doth go about the like ; how not comfortable onelie , but profitable besides it wil be to others ▪ they shal finde that zelouslie do reade the same .

And this whatsoeuer I haue done , was taken in hand at the motion of the Printer hereof ; whose zeale to set forth good bookes for the aduancement of virtue , and care to publish them as they ought to be , would some printers folowe , neither would the sale of good workes be mard manie-times for lack of wel handling ; nor vaine and vile bookes to the dishonor of God , the infamie of this land , to the confirming of the wicked in naughtines , and alienating of the wel disposed from virtue , I saie , to the discredite of the Gospel , and abuse of printing would not dailie be so broacht as they are .

In which my translation I haue rather folowed the sense of the Autor , than his verie wordes , in some places ; the which also I haue studied , as nigh as I could , to expresse by the phrase of the holie Scripture , supposing it to be a commendation , as to Ciceronians to vse the phrase of Cicero : so to Christians most familiarlie to haue the words of the holie Scripture in their mouthes , and bookes .

Now touching my correction , I trust no good man wil mislike the same . For I haue left out nothing but what might be offensiue to the godlie . Yet is it neither for quantitie much , nor for number aboue foure sentences . The first whereof is this a a In the second booke , chapt. 12 , in the beginning almost . Hoc signum crucis erit in coelo , cùm Dominus ad iudicandum venerit . According to Castellios translation : Atque hoc erit signum crucis in coelo , cùm Dominus ad iudicandum veniet . In the English copie set foorth by Edward Hake , thus , And this signe of the crosse shal be in heauen , when the Lord shal come to iudge the world . Which sentence , for somuch as I see neither the Scripture , nor anie good writer doth confirme the same , I haue left out altogether .

The second is this b b In the foresaide chap. , Sed nec inimicum Diabolum timebis , si fueris fide armatus , & Iesu cruce signatus . According to Castellio , Quinne Diaboli quidem inimicitias timebis , si fide armatus , & Iesu cruce signatus eris . In the English translation , Naie thou shalt not feare the enimitie of the Diuel neither , if thou be armed with faith , and marked with the crosse of Iesus . What needes these words , And marked with the crosse of Iesus ? I haue therefore not mentioned them .

IF this booke , which concerneth the following Christes example , haue heretofore yeelded some frute to such as haue giuen them-selues to the reading thereof ; I thinke it wil yeeld no lesse hereafter , specialie now that it is rid and clensed from a number of imperfections that were in it afore .

And although it be apparent , that the conuersation of such as cal themselues Christians , is woonderfulie corrupted : yet notwithstanding because God is so good , that he wil euermore drawe some one or other of an infinite multitude from it : it maketh me that I am not altogether out of hope .

Againe , like as in great and sore diseases , al the best remedies that can be deuised , are wont to be applied with al speede : euen so the more we see wickednes and vngodlines to abound , the more ought we to consider by what meanes they may be remedied , that some may be saued among so manie thousands , which are hardharted and enimies to al good warnings .

It must needes be granted , and experience prooueth it sufficientlie ; that there was neuer anie age , wherein Christians haue bin more out of order , nor haue had lesse regard of godlines , than they haue at this daie : yet notwithstanding , this ought not to bar vs , from hoping that God wil drawe some continualie to himselfe . On the other side , like as among a great sort that are striken with extreame sicknesses and diseases , some doe alwaies scape as it pleaseth God : so is it to be hoped , that among an infinite number of false Christians , God wil touch some to bring them backe from the filthines and corruptions of the world , and to leade them to the fearing of himselfe .

Moreouer , it is not to be doubted , but that God hath alwaies some seruants of his , as it were couered vnder the great number , which by the power of his holie spirit , doe liue continualie in al purenes & vndefilednes , without cleaning or consenting to the vngodlines & disorderednes of the wicked .

And this is it which confirmeth me in my hope , that this little booke shal not be vnprofitable nor fruteles .

Neuertheles , this booke is not ful of great cunning , nor beautified with flowers of humane wisedome , neither doth it discourse or treate of high or darke things ▪ neither is it stuffed with subtil questions and arguments , nor indited with eloquent style , as those commonlie be which are propounded and set foorth to the world , rather for boasting and vainglories sake , than for anie desire to doe other men good . This booke is plaine , and without anie great gainesse ; but yet so ful of good and wholsome instructions , that I dare wel auow , that whosoeuer readeth it with a right disposed mind , without respect to Profit of this booke . anie other thing than God and the saluation of his owne soule , which is the onelie marke that we must leuel at : he shal reape singular profit thereby .

As for my part , I can witnes of my selfe , that God hath oftentimes made it to serue me for a spurre , to quicken and waken me vp from my slothfulnes and dulnes , and to kindle in me a desirousnes of his seruice ; and I hope that the like shal befal to al such as shoote at none other mark , but to knowe , feare , and loue him with a pure , right meaning , and single minde ; and to leade a holie conuersation before him .

And in good sooth , it may wel be said , Good bookes as ladders to climbe vp to heauen . that vnto true Christians , good and holie bookes are as ladders to climbe vp to heauen ; as sparks to kindle the heate of the spirit , when it is quenched or waxed colde in them ; and as props to staie vp their faith that it may take increase .

I speake of true Christians . For as for them that are Christians but in words and ceremonies : some of them be so bereft of al true feeling of God and of their owne conscience , that they neuer enter into the considering of the thing that might be auailable and necessarie to the wel instructing of them in the truth , and to the training of them to some godlie behauior ; but are wholie giuen to the things of this life , as though there were none other after it ▪ And othersome haue their mindes so tied to the letter , that they can make none account of anie other bookes , but such as may make them skilful , eloquent , sharpe-witted , and subtile , and consequentlie woonderful among men , despising al such works as may make them better by moouing them to the exercises of their profession . And of this sort the number is verie grear nowadaies ; of whom nothing can be said , sauing that ( as the Apostle speaketh of them ) they can welynough say with their mouth that they knowe God , but in their deedes and workes they renounce him a a Tit. 1 , 16. .

And trulie we be come to a time , wherin we be more giuen and more hastie to reason and dispute of our religion , than to be religious in deede ; more giuen to make great and large discourses of it , than to put it in practise , and to shew the truth and purenes of it by our holie conuersation ; & at a word more giuen to talke than to doe : insomuch that we may wel perceiue , that the Christian profession is nothing else nowadaies , but a lipwisedome , and a skil to hold talke among such as make their vaunts of it .

But what ▪ doe I terme it a lipwisdome ▪ Nay , would God it were not rather turned into a fleshlie and licentious loosenes ▪ as we may partlie see alreadie by too manie effects thereof .

But so doth it alwaies befal to such as hauing receiued Christs doctrine , applie not themselues foorthwith to the forsaking of themselues , without the which it is not possible for vs to be Christs true disciples b b Matth. 16 , verse . 24. . For as the light cannot match with darknes c c ▪ 2. Cor. 6 , verse . 14. : so cannot Christs Spirit match with sin and the lusts of the flesh : insomuch that if the practise thereof be omitted , there is none other thing to be looked for , but a kind of libertie whereby men shaking off al yoke , shal giue them selues ouer to al euil , & sooth themselues in their sinnes . Not that they keepe not stil some outward shew and countenance of godlines : for vnles it be some Epicures and godles men , they neuer proceede so far as to doe awaie and to giue ouer al seruice of God .

But yet are al such shewes and outward countenances in vaine , & of none account before him which requireth mens harts d d Deut. 6 , 5. Matt. 22 , 37 , and contenteth not himselfe with the onelie outward deedes e e Iohn . 4 , 22. 23. , wherewith notwithstanding they thinke to quiet their owne consciences , and to auoide the feeling of Gods wrath for their sinnes ▪ which thing may wel serue for a time in the behalfe of the ignorant , and of such as haue no better skil ; but as for those which knowe wherein the seruing of God consisteth , they cannot but be maruelouslie abashed , if they fal to examining of their owne wicked conuersation .

For then there is no ceremonie ( howe faire a shew so euer it beare , no not euen though it be of the number of those which God hath inioined for the keeping of order in his Church ) that can satisfie the conscience which is trobled with the feeling of it owne sinne , and make it sure before the iudgement of God , who wil not iudge vs according to ceremonies , but according to our works f f 2. Cor. 5 , 10 .

We reade what Iesus Christ wil saie to such as shal haue cast out Diuels in his name g g Mat. 7 , 23 , prophesied in his name , and wrought manie other great things in his name : Away from me ( wil he saie to them ) yee workers of wickednes . How much more then wil he saie so , to such as occupieng themselues alonelie in some ceremonies , & not in the true godlines which the Apostle saith is profitable to al things h h 1. Tim. 4 , 8 , shal haue giuen themselues to folowe their flesh and the world !

To be short , we must come to this point , that forasmuch as Christianitie is not an outward profession , ne a thing that consisteth in outward ceremonies , ( so as it may suffice to busie our selues about it , ) or in words ( as who would saie it were ynough to haue the skil to talke and discourse of it as men doe of other worldlie sciences ; ) but it is the verie power and might of God i i Rom. 1 , 16. 1. Cor. 1 , 18. , whereby God intendeth to renew , and as it were to create againe his owne image and likenes in man , who is falne from it by his owne fault , and to set it againe in the former brightnes and perfection , that he may attaine againe to the blessed immortalitie : it is not to be doubted but that the same is the thing whereon we ought to fixe and settle the eies of our mind , and wherevnto we ought to applie al our wits , straining them earnestlie and to the vttermost of their powers to attaine therevnto . Otherwise we shal but lose our labor in seeking after this or that ; and al that euer we can doe shal serue to no purpose , but onelie to traine vs the further from the marke that is set before vs .

I knowe wel it wil be replied herevnto , that the thing which I speake of can not be obteined in this life , wherein we be subiect to so manie infirmities k k Genes. 6 , 5. , and are so corrupted and fraile , that it is vnpossible to attaine thereto .

Neither doe I say , that we can attaine so farre as to be set perfectlie againe in our former vncorruptnes , so long as we be hild wrapped in this mortal bodie l l Wis. 9 , 15. : That is reserued for the world to come , wherein al things shal be reduced to the highest perfection m m Reu 21 , 1. 2 , &c. . But my meaning is onelie to declare , that the thing which shal be accomplished there , must be begun in such wise here , as we may not cesse to drawe neerer and neerer vnto it n n Phil. 3 , 13. 14. , by shortening our waie continualie .

And surelie the Scripture teacheth vs manifestlie , that none shal become partakers of the glorious rising againe o o Rom. 6 , 5. 4. , wherin consisteth the ful measure of our felicitie , but those which haue endeuored here to die vnto sin , and to liue againe in newnes of life , ( which is called the first resurrection , ) euen by the Spirit of Christ whom al true Christians haue clothed themselues withal : which haue mortified the deedes of the flesh p p Gal. 5 , 19. 20. 21. Roman. 8 , 4. 5. 2. Corin. 7 , 1. Coloss. 3 , 5. ; which haue put off the old man q q Eph. 4 , 22. 24. with al his works ; and put on the new man according to the image of him that created vs ; and which haue clensed themselues here from al vncleannes both of bodie and soule .

And that is the reason why saint Paule r r Colos. 3 , 4. 5. , hauing said that when Christ appeereth , we also shal appeere with him in glorie ; doth foorthwith warne vs to mortifie our members that are vpon earth : whereby he doth vs wel to vnderstand , that this mortification must go afore in vs here , if we purpose to attaine to glorie .

The same Paule telleth vs that our bodies shal be quickned by reason of Christs spirit s s Rom. 8 , 11. which shal haue dwelled in vs here , and whereby we shal haue repressed al our froward affections .

Also Saint Iohn protesteth t t 1. Ioh. 3 , 3. , that whosoeuer putteth his trust in Christ , doth purge himselfe after the example of Christ .

To be short , there are infinite texts touching this point in the holie Scriptures . And though there were no mo but this one which they vtter so often , namely that the vnrighteous shal not inherit the kingdome of God u u 1. Cor. 6 , 9. ; it might be ynough to content vs withal , & to put vs in feare , and to moue vs to the true and earnest repentance .

But alas ▪ We be so loth to yeeld to this point , and our flesh breedeth vs so manie hinderances , that we doe what we can to eschew that burthen , and to shake it from our shoulders . But in so doing what do we else , but striue against our owne soulehelth , and resist Gods grace , who commeth to saue vs , howbeit by such meanes as he himselfe hath ordeined , and by such waie as he commandeth vs , and not by meanes or waies of our owne choosing !

Wel said , God hath commanded vs to beleeue in his Sonne , and for our beleeuing on him he promiseth vs euerlasting life , so as al they which beleeue in Christ , taking him for their Sauiour , and applieng to themselues al the benefites which he hath purchased for vs by his death : are in the right waie .