THE institution of Christian religion written by Iohn Caluin seemeth to me to chalenge to it selfe by good right ( right worshipfull ) that which being vttered by men most wise and of singular experience , is common almost in euery mans mouth , that good things must be repeated againe and againe . For seing that in things necessarie and profitable the same things are spoken againe & againe : or things ten times repeated do please , neither is that spoken & repeated too oft , which is neuer sufficientlie learned , vndoubtly all those which are studious of sound diuinitie , doe acknowledge long ago that the commodities of this writing are diuerse & manifold , not onlie to learne but also to teach : & not only to the sowing , watering & new digging , but also to gather in the fruit of the fild of the Church . And for these causes , when at such times as the haruest began to waxe white in France in times past , I was called backe from the course of phisicke which I had alredie ended , addressing my self to the practise thereof , vnto the entrance of diuinity , and to take vpon me the ministerie , I made choice of that worke especialy , next to the holy Bible , to be read & remembred by me . And as those which go into a garden bedect with infinit varietie of floures , are wont to make a nosegay of all those which either their sight or smell shall most allowe , that it may resemble and represent vnto them the garden after they become out of it . So I feeling in that pleasant garden of diuinitie , wonderfull smels of heauenlie thinges , gathering out of euery section of the chapters , as from the knottes and borders of paradise such things as did best like me , haue framed this Abridgement , that it might neuer suffer so great pleasure to depart from mine eyes , minde , and remembrance . And seing there be alwayes slaues of Sathan readie , whereby he goeth about to corrupt the trueth with falshood , and so consequentlie to thrust her out of her place , & in her seat to set lying whose Father he is , I haue set downe most short answeres , which are set against the obiections of the aduersarie , wherby the Christian champion may know that the dartes which the enemies of christians do shake & bend against the most strong fortresse of the truth it selfe are but blunt and britle : and that he may proceede not only out of this treasure howse garnished with most precious gemmes , being more wealthy , to enrich those which are desirous of heauenly pearls , or out of this storehowse being better furnished to feede the flocke of Christ : but also as out of an Armorie , being better armed to discomfite all the enemies of the trueth with whome he shall meete , and to beate downe the Monsters of heresies . And seing that this my labour such as it is , seemed in the iudgment of some godly pastours neither to be misliked , ne yet to be vnprofitable , or vnworthy of the light , but that it might come abroad for common profit , I thought good not to be against it : especiallie seing fruites not to be repented of , may be hoped from thence without anie mans hinderance . But if anie man think that this litle garden is cast in lesser knots and strayter alleyes then is meet , I let him not but that he may freelie , when he will , walk in the broad field at his pleasure . And wheras ( Right worshipfull ) I haue platted a garland of the dignitie of your name for the head of this litle booke , that it might allure the readers to vewe and peruse the whole worke , these reasons did especially moue me : First because , I would haue this simple testimonie of my thankfull minde to be extant for that your vnwearied studie in bestowing benefites , which I haue often tryed . Againe seing that you will haue your gorgeous howse to stande open to all the godlie as a common Inne , seing that you make that authoritie which you haue gotten by vertue , more firme , by brideling the euill , by releeuing the oppressed , by exercysing iustice : & seing that your most louing wife , a most excellent woman , whose bountifulnesse manie do trie , of whose curtesie manie mo do speake , at whose godlinesse all do wonder , is readie as it were at your elbowe happelie to attempt so great thinges : finallie seing that your whole family doth breath out a smel of Christianitie : I say seing these thinges are so , if I seeke to this your Inne as to a refuge for my labours I seeme to ascribe that to my self , which is most proper to the thinge it selfe . Accept therefore I beseech you ( Right worshipfull ) this most assured pledge & token of a thankefull minde . God in rich with his most liberall hand both you and all yours with his gifts , and preserue you long in safety to the Church and common wealth . At London the 18 of Februarie . 1583.

We haue added to the notes of the bookes and chapters for the more easie finding out of euerie part .