An excellent treatise of Christian righteousnes, written first in the French tongue by M.I. de l'Espine, and translated into English by I. Feilde for the comforte of afflicted consciences, verie necessarie and profitable to be reade of all Christians, as well for establishing them in the true doctrine of iustification, as also for enabling them to confute the false doctrine of all Papistes and heretickes

TO THE VERTV∣OVS AND MY VERY DEARE FREND THE LADY ELI∣zabeth Terwhitte I. F. wisheth encrease of godli∣nes, and constancy in the true religion of Christ to the ende and in the ende.

RIght vvorshipfull, & my ve∣ry good Lady, after I had peru∣sed this litle treatise of Chri∣stian righteousnes, as it vvas first vvritten in the Frenche tongue, I tooke great cōfort in it & thought it to be very necessary, to be turned into Englishe for the benefite of Christes poore Church. I therefore as occasiō serued at con∣uenient times, performed that I purposed, vvherein I haue studied to be as simple and plaine (because of the vnlearned) as possibly the matter & phrase of that tongue vvould suffer me. I am not ignoraunt vvhat an hard thing it is to translate vvell, and con∣trarivvise, hovv easie a thing it is for eue∣ry carping Momus, or ignoraunt zoilus to

finde fault: but herein I shall as God shall a∣sist me, arme my selfe vvith paciēce to beare vvhatsoeuer hath bin, is, or shalbe layd vpon me. This only shall cōfort me, that I vvalke not before men, but before God: in vvhose presence I protest, that according to the sim∣ple knovvledge he hath giuen me, I haue dealt simply and sincerely. Of all vanities I esteeme it the greatest, to hange vppon the blastes of mens mouthes. They that are that vvaies caried highest, and haue not the te∣stimony of good consciences, neither seeke to approue themselues to God, to vvhom they must stand or faule, they shall finde no com∣fort in it, in the day of death. It litle auaileth a man to be iustified of the vvhole vvorld, and to be condemned before God. Therefore God giue vs grace to vvalke as in his pre∣sence, that vvhatsoeuer vve take in hande, it may be consecrated to him, & haue an ex∣cellent blessing vpon it. I haue dedicated my labours herein, to your good Ladyshippe for sundry causes, thogh I deny not, but my mea∣ning is to make them common to the church of God: first that they may be a testimony to

all posterity of your forvvardnes, fidelity & sinceritie in the religion of Christ Iesus: Then, of my bounden duety and good vvill tovvards you. And I most humbly beseeche you in the eyes and sight of the vvhole vvorlde, that you constantly and inuiolably holde and keepe that blessed hope of your best inheritance. And as God in mercy hath dravven you out of the sincke and mier of Poperie, and of the false vvorshippe of God (vvherto, as to all other vices vve are most apt by nature) to the true religion of Christ, so goe forvvards, and most humbly and con∣tinually thanke him for it. Acknovvledge it the greatest benefit that euer in mercy he coulde haue bestovved vppon you. Bevvare of the vvorld, that maketh least accompt of this most excellent, and vvaighty thinge. Study by all meanes to ansvvere this holy & excellent callinge, that your religion may shine as vvell in vvorkes as in vvordes, in an holy conuersation as in a sincere profes∣siō. Knovv assuredly that vvhere the truth of God raigneth, there the kingdome of Sa∣than decaieth, the strength of sinne abateth,

the pleasures of the flesh are restrained, & Iesus Christ by the scepter of his holy vvord & blessed spirit, cōtinually vvorketh, to the daily mortifying of the outvvard man and quickening the invvard, to the brideling & maistering of the affections of the mind: till it be renued, reformed & chaunged into his holy obedience, and so by litle and litle be translated into his kingdome. And till this be brought to passe, you shall neuer feele vvhat Christes righteousnes is (vvhich is our only happines) vvherof this booke so no∣tably & comfortably entreateth. The Lord Iesus open your heart, and giue you vnder∣standing in all his misteries, that you may see his great glory, till you may comprehende vvith all Saincts the height, depth, vvidth and length of his glorious righteousnes, lay∣ing holde vpon it through aliuely faith, and so be sealed vp through him (as I doubt not but you are) to euerlasting happines, fare you vvell most humbly from my poore house this seconde of Nouember. 1577.

Your good Ladyships bounden in the Lord. I. F.