Reat and manifold were the blessings (most dread Soveraigne) which Almighty  G o d , the Father of all Mercies, bestowed upon us the people of E n g l a n d , when fiirst he sent your Majesties Royall person to rule and raigne over us.  For whereas it was the expectation of many, who wished not well unto our  S i o n , that upon the setting of that bright Occidentall Starre Queene E l i z a b e t h of most happy memory, some thicke and palpable cloudes of darkenesse would so have overshadowed this land, that men should have bene in doubt which way they were to walke, and that it should hardly be knowen, who was to direct the unsetled State: the appearance of your  M a j e s t i e , as of the Sunne in his strength, instantly dispelled those supposed and surmised mists, and gave unto all that were well affected, exceeding cause of comfort; especially when we beheld the government established in your H i g h n e s s e , and your hopefull Seed, by an undoubted Title, and this also accompanied with Peace and tranquillitie, at home and abroad.

But amongst all our Joyes, there was no one that more filled our hearts, then the blessed continuance of the Preaching of G o d s sacred word amongst us, which is that inestimable treasure, which excelleth all the riches of the earth, because the fruit thereof extendeth it selfe, not onely to the time spent in this transitory world, but directeth and disposeth men unto that Eternall happinesse which is above in Heaven.

Then, not to suffer this to fall to the ground, but rather to take it up, and to continue it in that state, wherein the famous predecessour of your H i g h n e s s e did leave it; Nay, to goe forward with the confidence and resolution of a man in maintaining the trueth of C h r i s t , and propagating it farre and neere, is that which hath so bound and firmely knit the hearts of all your M a j e s t i e s loyall and Religious people unto you, that your very Name is precious among them, their eye doeth behold you with comfort, and they blesse you in their hearts, as that sanctified person, who under G o d , is the immediate authour of their true happinesse.  And this their contentment doeth not diminish or decay, but every day increaseth and taketh strength, when they observe that the zeale of your Majestie towards the house of G o d , doth not slacke or goe backward, but is more and more kindled, manifesting it selfe abroad in the furthest parts of Christendome, by writing in defence of the Trueth, (which hath given such a blow unto that man of Sinne, as will not be healed) and every day at home, by Religious and learned discourse, by frequenting the house of G o d , by hearing the word preached, by cherishing the teachers thereof, by caring for the Church as a most tender and loving nourcing Father.

There are infinite arguments of this right Christian and Religious affection in your M a j e s t i e : but none is more forcible to declare it to others, then the vehement and perpetuated desire of the accomplishing and publishing of this Worke , which now with all humilitie we present unto your M a j e s t i e . For when your Highnesse had once out of deep judgment apprehended , how convenient it was, That out of the Originall sacred tongues, together with comparing of the labours, both in our owne and other forreigne Languages, of many worthy men who went before us, there should be one more exact Translation of the holy Scriptures into the English tongue; your M a j e s t i e did never desist, to urge and to excite those to whom it was commended, that the worke might be hastened, and that the businesse might be expedited in so decent a maner, as a matter of such importance might justly require.

And now at last, by the Mercy of G o d , and the continuance of our Labours, it being brought unto such a conclusion, as that we have great hope that the Church of England shall reape good fruit thereby; we hold it our duety to offer it to your M a j e s t i e , not onely as to our King and Soveraigne, but as to the principall moover and Author of the Worke. Humbly craving of your most Sacred Majestie , that since things of this quality have ever bene subject to the censures of ill meaning and discontented persons, it may receive approbation and Patronage from so learned and judicious a Prince as your Highnesse is, whose allowance and acceptance of our Labours, shall more honour and incourage us, then all the calumniations and hard interpretations of other men shall dismay us. So that, if on the one side we shall be traduced by Popish persons at home or abroad, who therefore will maligne us, because we are poore Instruments to make G o d s holy Trueth to be yet more and more knowen unto the people, whom they desire still to keepe in ignorance and darknesse : we shall be maligned by selfe-conceited brethren, who runne their owne wayes, and give liking unto nothing but what is framed by themselves, and hammered on their Anvile; we may rest secure, supported within by the trueth and innocencie of a good conscience, having walked the wayes of simplicitie and integritie, as before the Lord ; And sustained without, by the powerfull Protection of your Majesties grace and favour, which will ever give countenance to honest and Christian endevours, against bitter censures, and uncharitable imputations.

The L o r d of Heaven and earth blesse your Majestie with many and happy dayes, that as his Heavenely hand hath enriched your Highnesse with many singular, and…

…extraordinary Graces; so you may be the won-
der of the world in this later age, for  happi-
nesse and true felicitie, to the honour
of that Great  G o d , and the
good of his Church, through
J e s u s    C h r i s t
our Lord and onely
Saviour.
( • . • )