A harmonie vpon the the three Euangelists, Matthew, Mark and Luke with the commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine: faithfully translated out of Latine into English, by E.P. Whereunto is also added a commentarie vpon the Euangelist S. Iohn, by the same authour.

TO THE RIGHT HONO∣RABLE THE LORD ROBERT DVDLEY, EARLE OF LEYCESTER, BARON OF DENBIGH, Maister of the Horse to the Queenes Maiestie, Knight of the noble order of the Garter, & one of the Queenes Maiesties most honorable priuie Counsel, Chan∣selour of the most famous Vniuersitie of Ox∣ford, Christopher Fetherstone wisheth en∣crease of spirituall giftes, long life, happy dayes, and en∣crease of ho∣nour.

IT IS AN OLDE SAY∣ing (Right honourable) and no lesse true then olde, that faleable wines neede no iuic bush: which prouerb impor∣teth thus much, that thinges which are of thē selues good and commendable haue not anye, at least no great neede of commendation. If there∣fore I shouldee with fine filed phrases, with gaye geason woordes, with straunge examples, and notable hysto∣ries compound some long prologue and tedious Preface, in commendation of this most excellent work and Com∣mentarie of that famous member, and faithfull Doctour of Gods Church, Maister Iohn Caluine, I might cause your Honour to suspect the fondnesse thereof: I my selfe should seeme to doubte of the goodnesse thereof: and fi∣nally,

minister occasion to many to condemne me of fol∣ly. Omitting therefore that which is needlesse, I discend vnto that which is needefull: to wit, to excuse my selfe of arrogancie, wherof some may accuse me in that I dare presume to dedicate vnto yonr honour, this my transla∣tion, vnto whom I am altogether vnknowen. The loade stone as men say, writers do testifie, and experience doth teach, hath in it selfe such power, force and vertue, that it draweth iron vnto it, though it be farre distant: right so, vertue doth drawe men vnto it, and the reporte thereof, causeth men to loue those whom they haue not seene, & to reuerence those of whō they haue only heard. Which thing sithence it is so, there is no cause why I shoulde ei∣ther bee accused of arrogancie, or condemned of impu∣dencie, for approching so boldly vnto your honour, and for suffering this my translation to appear in your name. For your friendes confesse, and your foes cannot iustly denie that God hath placed in your noble brest greate aboundance of most heroicall vertues. I omit to speake of that rare report of your vnfeigned religion which re∣foundeth euery where, and redoundeth to your prayse. I should be tedious, if I should set downe particulerly the most vndoubted testimonies of your faithfulnesse to∣ward your dread Soueraigne: I shoulde seeme to flatter if I should extoll that godly magnanimitie wherewith the Lord hath endued you to maintaine his truth, to defend the Realm, to sub due those proud aspiring papists. That great and earnest care which your honour hath alwaies had, and euen now hath to support the poore ministers of the word, and gospell of Iesus Christ in Gods cause, & in good causes, hath in it selfe sufficient force, to enforce not only mee, but all thankfull heartes by word and wri∣ting to bewray all thankfulnesse & dutifulnesse towards your good honor. As this, so that singuler liberalitie vsed at all times by your Lordship towards my friends, hath

caused me in dedicating of this booke to your honour, to testifie some part of my thankfull minde in their be∣halfe. And heere I am to craue pardon of you, whiche I hope I shall easily obtaine, for that I haue not behaued my selfe finely as I might, though faithfully as I ought in this my worke. And thus fearing prolixitie, I conclude, praying vnto the Lorde God of heauen and earth, that King of Kinges, and Lorde of Lordes, that he will graunt vnto your honour, and to the rest (whom he hath placed in the like degree of dignitie) his holy spirite, that spirite of wisdome and vnderstanding, that you may thereby be so directed, that all your thoughts, woordes, and workes, may tend to the setting foorth of Gods glory, the main∣tenance of true religion, the preseruation of the Realme. So shall England haue wealth, be voide of woe, enioy so∣lace, be free from sorrow, possesse plentie, not tast of po∣uertie, inherite pleasure, and not see paine. Whiche God graunt.

Your Honours most humble and obedient, Christopher Fetherstone.