Argument of the Present Book

In order that readers may derive greater benefit from this present book, I wish briefly to show them the profit they may receive from it. In doing so, I shall show them the end toward which they ought to strive and direct their attention while reading it.

Although Holy Scripture contains a perfect doctrine to which nothing can be added—for in it our Lord has chosen to unfold the infinite treasures of his wisdom—nevertheless, a person who is not thoroughly practiced in its study has great need of some guidance and direction in order to know what he ought to seek there. Otherwise, he may wander here and there rather than keep to a certain path by which he may always attain the end to which the Holy Spirit calls him.

It is therefore the duty of those who have received greater light from God than others to assist the simple in this matter and, as it were, extend a hand to guide them and help them discover the sum of what God has willed to teach us in his Word.

Now this cannot be done better in writing than by treating the principal and weightiest subjects comprehended within Christian philosophy. For whoever possesses an understanding of these subjects will be prepared to make more progress in the school of God in one day than another would in three months. This is because he knows, at least approximately, where each individual statement belongs and possesses a rule by which to measure and arrange everything presented to him.

Seeing, therefore, how necessary it was to assist in this manner those who desire to be instructed in the doctrine of salvation, I have endeavored, according to the ability the Lord has given me, to devote myself to this task. To that end, I have composed the present book.

I first published it in Latin so that it might serve all learned persons, whatever their nation. Afterward, desiring to communicate to our French nation whatever benefit might arise from it, I also translated it into our language.

I dare not commend it too highly or declare how profitable its reading may be, lest I appear to value my own work too greatly. Nevertheless, I can promise this much: it may serve as a key and an opening, giving all the children of God access to a sound and proper understanding of Holy Scripture.

Therefore, if from this time forward our Lord grants me the means and opportunity to write any commentaries, I shall employ the greatest brevity possible. It will not be necessary to make lengthy digressions, since I have here treated at length almost all the articles belonging to the Christian religion.

Since we must acknowledge that all truth and sound doctrine proceed from God, I shall boldly declare in simplicity what I think of this work, recognizing it to be God’s more than mine—for, in truth, the praise for it ought to be rendered to him.

I exhort all who reverence the Word of the Lord to read this book and diligently impress it upon their memory if they desire, first, to possess a summary of Christian doctrine, and then to obtain an entrance by which they may profit from reading both the Old and New Testaments.

When they have done so, they will know by experience that I have not sought to deceive them with empty words.

If anyone cannot comprehend everything contained in it, he must not therefore despair. Rather, let him always continue forward, hoping that one passage will provide a clearer and more familiar explanation of another.

Above all, he must make it his constant concern to return to Scripture itself and carefully examine the scriptural testimonies that I cite.