ABSTRACT
Trinity are well written. In Ambrose, Augustine, and Hierome, their Epistles (especially those which are not baseborne) seem to be amongst the floure of their workes1. But Ambrose, and especially Augustine, in their warlike writings as they are termed, are, saving in a poynt of Baptisme against the Pelagians, at greatest peace with the truth: Yea now I remember me, Augustines Books de Civitate Dei2 are of all other the evident seales of his Learning, and especially of his much reading. Contrarywise Hierome3 with his heat is oftentimes lifted out of his hinges, and declareth, how true it is, that anger worketh not the will of God: and therefore is to be taken heed of, especially when he hath an adversarie. Concerning the New Writers, I need say no farther [146] consid ering that hereby you may gather what I think by my judgment of their Commentaries and Commonplaces. Saving that Luther4, both for his worthy service in the work of the Gospel, and also for the pregnancy of his wit, should not be passed by. For other famous men of our time, as Bucer, Mr* Calvin5 hath in a manner taken that which is fittest in them, as I think Mr. Calvin himself somewhere confesseth, and therefore need not so much, but by occasion, to be read. And none of this also needed, but that it is more needfull for me to yeeld to your honest request in answering something, then profitable to you in not receiving that which you hoped for: And it is so little, that if Mr-6 had not in your behalf pressed it out, I suppose I should have taken further day of writing any thing in this matter. Therefore I desire that it may remaine with you as a Letter, I meane in the secrecye of your own bosome, or els let it smell of the fyre. So that you can read my good affection, it is enough: I crave no favour for it. And thus with my hearty commendations unto you, I commend you and your godly studies unto the gratious both direction and blessing of the Lord our God in Jesus Christ our Saviour.
