The Image of Both Pastors Set Forth, Title page – Dedication
The ymage of bothe Paſtoures / ſette forth by that mooſte famouſe Clerck, Huldrych zwinglius, & now trāſlated out of Latin into Engliſhe, By Iohn Veron Sinonoys. A moſt fruitefull & neceſſary Boke, to be had & redde in all Churches, ther wyth to enarme all ſymple & ignorant folckes, agaynſt the raueninge wolues and falſe prophetes.
M.D.L.
Cum Priuilegio ad Imprimendum Solum.
Actu. xx. Chap.
¶Take hede to your ſelfes, and to the whole flocke, whervpon thee holye ghoſte hath appoynted you, Byſhops, to gouerne the Church of God, whych he hath purchaſed wyth hys bloude.
Math vii. Chap.
¶Beware of falſe Prophetes, that come vntounto you in ſhepes clothinge, but inwardely, they are rauening wolues.
¶To the Moſt mighty Prince Edwarde, Duke of Somerſet, Earle of Harforde, Vycount of Beaw Champe, & Vncle to our moſt ſouerayn Lord the King. Iohn Veron wyſheth peace & grace, health of ſoule & body, & encreace of diuine knowledge, and godly honour, frō God the father, through our Lorde & ſauiour Ieſus Chriſt.
COnſydering wtin my ſelf, moſte redoubted Prince, ye vnſpeakeable & exceding great mercy, of our mooſte boūteous heauēly father, whych ſo plēteouſly hath now at this preſent, ſente amōg vsus, ye moſt pleaſaūt, & ioyful light of his holy & ſacred woorde, yt ſens the byrth & natiuitie of oure Lorde, & ſauiour Ieſus Chriſt, it was neuer in thys illuſtre & floriſhing realme, ſo purely & ſincerely preached, as it is now in our tyme, ſet forth to the great cōfort & cō ſolatiō of our poore wretched cōſciences, which ſo lōge hauehave bē detēted & holdē captiues in ye thicke darknes of mēs traditiōs: I hauehave a good cauſe to wonder, & meruail at ye īgratitude, & vnthākfulneſſe of manye and ſundrye folkes, whyche, in thys moſte gracyous tyme, that ſaluatyon is ſo frely, in the word of God, and holye ſcryptures, offered euerye where vntounto them, yet to theyr vtter vndoynge and deſtructyon hauehave rather to ſtycke to the dregges of mennes dreames and deuyllyſſhe inuencyous of Antichriſte, than to embrace the ioyfull tydynges of thee Goſpel, where onelyonly they maye fynde reſte too theyr poore wearye ſoules. Chryſte the euerlaſtynge wyſedome of the father doeth crye oure there ſayinge:Math. xi Come vntounto me, all ye that laboure, and are laden, and I wyll eaſe you. And yet theſe madde and bewytched perſons wyll in noo wyſe harken vntounto hym, but moſte wretchedly labouryng and ſweatynge, vnderunder the intollerable burden, of Antichriſte tradycions, do wyttynglye, and of all obſtynate purpoſe and mynde, renne head longe into perdytyon, folowynge in it theyr blynde guydes, whyche doo yet at thys preſente, contrarye bothe to gods worde and the kynges moſte godlye procedinges, leade them into all kyndes of deuelyſſhe erroure.
One of the princypall cauſes of the blyndeneſſe yt yet now a dayes raygneth amō ge the people,Theſe blynde guydes, I ſaye, are the…, that poyſone the ſymple and ygnoraunt people and are cauſes of their vtter vndoyng and deſtruction. Then wyl they not ſuffre to come into thee ryght way, and to folow the for goinge lyght of the goſpell, of oure ſauyoure Ieſus Chriſte, whoſe doctryne and worde, they perſwade theſe poore ygnoraunte and blynde folckes to bee playne hereſye, and that they, whych now preache, ſet forthe, and bryng vntounto theym, the gladde and comfortable newes of ſaluatyon, are moſte pernytyous heretykes, whyche goo aboute, to bryng all men, from thee olde and auncyent relygyon, that was ſette vp, alowed, and eſtablyſſhed, by the holye fathers of the prymatiue churche, in to a newe kynde of relygion that they inuented them ſelfes out of their own braynes, thereby too take awaye and banyſhe from amonge men thee true worſhyppynge of the lyuing God.The vngodly perſwaſyons of the papiſtes. Are not (wyll theſe Antychriſtes ſay) thoroughe thys newe learnynge, all lamable ceremonyes, dryuen out of the churches? where bee nowe thee holye Saynctes become, that ye, in al youre afflyctyons, and trouble were wonte too flye vntounto. As for thee holye and bleſſed Sacramente, of thee Aultare they hauehave moſte vngodlye plucked it downe. Within a while (ſyth that they hauehave alſo put downe that moſt holy & ſacred Maſſe) they wyll leaue no God at all vntounto vsus. Beware, take hede too your ſelfes, good folkes, herken not vntounto them. We waraunt you, they ſhall not continue longe. Wythin there two or thre yeares and leſſe, ye ſhall ſee all thinges clene altered and chaunged.
Thoſe and many other lyke thinges, doo theſe rauenynge wolues, and falſe Prophetes, not only whyſper in mens eares, but alſo moſt boldely (as though they feare nether God, nor King) blow out abroade, among the louing ſubiectes of thys Realme. I tell the truth, I lye not (god ſhall beare me recorde of the ſame). Not longe a goo, I was in communication wyth one of the chiefeſt ringe leaders of that vnlucky companye (whoſe name I do here wittingly paſſe ouer) whych is a man of great learnynge, and in the Philoſophie and doctrine of Ariſtoteles, moſte conninge and experte. Thys man after that we hadde reaſonned a whyle in matters of Relygyon, ſodeynlye brake forthe wythe theſe wordes: No, no, ſayde he, (and called me by my name) ſette your harte at reſte, I doo not doubte, but that wythin theſe two or thre yeares, al theſe felowes, that now are buſyeſt, and mooſte earneſt, in ſettinge forthe of thys hereſye (for ſo dyd he cal the preachinge of the goſpell, that is nowe vſed amonge vsus) ſhall be gladde to recante eueryevery one of them, as faſte, to cal backe theyr erroniouſe opinions, and to ſaye: tongue thou dyddeſt lye. Now moſte myghtye Prince, yf thys man, not wythſtandinge the Kynges proceadinges, and other godly actes, ſet forth by the Kinges moſte honourable counſayll, to thee vtter ſubuerſyon of falſe doctryne, vngodly traditions, and Idolatrye, and agayne to the mayntenaūce of true relygyon, durſte be ſo bolde too hauehave ſoche talcke, and communication wyth me, whom he knewe ryght well, though that I hauehave but very ſmal learninge and knowledge (how beit I do moſte hyghely thancke god, that he of hys goodnes dyd voucheſafe, to directe that lyttle yt I hauehave, to his glory) yet to be moſt earneſt, in ye defence of this true doctrine & religion. What wil both he, and other of ye vngodly fact, do among thē, whō they know to be both vnlearned & weake? Truely they wyl vtterly ſubuerte thē. They wyl make thē, that whē thei heare of chriſt, & of his goſpel, they ſhall ſtoppe theyr eares & crye out wyth the vngodlye multytude of thee Iewes, ſayinge: Awaye wythe hym, crucyfye hym. Marke ye thys, o ye Chriſtyan Magyſtrates (whoſe parte and duetye it is, to beware and take heede, that thee people commytted vntounto you, doo not fall agayne into darkeneſſe and ygnoraunce).math. xxi Luke. xix marke. xi When oure Sauyoure Ieſus chryſte, Kynge of all Kynges, and Lorde of all lordes, made hys ſolempne entrye into Hieruſalem: howe ioyfully with ſonges and hymnes was he receaued of thee commune people? Bleſſed be the kyng (ſayde they) that cometh in the name of the lord: Peace in heuē, & glory in the higheſt: But wtin a while after this poore ſymple and ygnoraunte people, that thus ſo ioyfullye receaued oure ſauyoure chryſte, beynge moued and perſwaded by the hyghe pryeſtes,mat. xvii Luke. xxiii Ioh. xviii marke. xv. ſcrybes, and Pharyſes, dyd preferre that thefe and ſhamefull murtherer Barrabas vntounto hym, whome a lyttel whyle before they called Kynge, deſyryng of Pouryous Pylate, wythe a loude voyce that thee ſayde rebelle and cruell murtherer Barrabas, ſhoulde bee lette looſe vntounto theym, and that Ieſus ſhoulde be delyuered vppe, for too bee crucyfyed. In lyke maner nowe a dayes, it doethe happen and chaunce here amonge vsus. For when thee Goſpel and gladde tydynges of ſaluatyon, are by honeſte and godlye menne preached and ſette forthe vntounto thee good folckes of thee contreye: it is a greate wonder and maruayle too ſee, howe gredely the moſte parte of them do receaue it, noo leſſe reioycynge, at thoſe ioyfull newes of heauen, than thee multytude of thee Iewes, dyd at the comynge of theyr Meſſias. But as ſoone, as theſe falſe prophetes (thee true preachers beynge departed from thence, into ſoome other place) are come amonge them, and hauehave ſhreuen theym a whyle, they are made a thouſande tymes worſe, than they were afore thee hearynge of thee Goſpell. Theſe rauenynge wolues are ſo armed wyth hypocryſye, with blaundiloquence, fayre ſpeakyng and flattery, that it is a thynge impoſſyble, for the poore ſymple folkes of thee contreye, whyche are noſeled in the olde ſuperſtition of theyr forefathers, that they ſhuld at any tyme wythout the ſpecyal grace of god, beware and take hede of them: yea manye witted and learned perſons that are not yet ſtronge, ſtedfaſt, fyrme, & ſound in the fayth, at oftentymes by them ouerthrowen and clene ſubuerted.
The names of the hygh learned Papiſtes, whoſe learninge conſyſteth onli, in philoſophye & prophane diſciplines ar hurtfullWhat ſhall we ſaye? thee names of them are noiſome and hurtful. Which thing we do ſe now a daies to be moſt true. I know ſome, which yf they were a lyttel otherwyſe handeled, or ſome what more ſtrayghtly loke vponupon, but euē halfe ſo moch, as they dyd loke vppon vsus, when they bare rule and were in high auctoritie, hauing thoſe lawes in their hādes, which (no man, of what degre ſoeuer he was bearing open hys mouth againſt thē) they had made thē ſelues. We ſhuld ſe, & that ſhortlye, al thoſe ſhyres, that hauehave not yet receiued the worde, to come merelye, & wythe a luſty corage, and ioyful hart, vntounto thee trueth and goſpel, which are noe only letted and ſtopped, by ye glorious names and titles, of ſoch high renowned perſōs.Reade my boke that I made agaynſt the lybertins & rebelies. Wel, it was not for nought (as I hauehave often ſayd, and now I ſay it againe) that thoſe godly kinges, which in times paſt dyd put down al ydolatry, & ſuperſtitiō, ſetting vp again, wtal godly ſtudye & dylygēce,iii. Regu. xviii. iiii. Reg. x iiii. Regū. xxiii, the true worſhipping of the liuing god, did ſlaye & kyl vp al Baalles prieſtes, & falſe prophetes of groues, & hille altars. Whyche thing truly they did, becauſe that they ſhoulde not brynge the people agayne into errour. Nor let anye man thynke here, that it was cruelly done, no more, than when a rottē remember is cutte of, from the bodye, leſte that it ſhoulde infecte al the whole. Is it not (I praye you) moch more expedyente, that .viii hundrethe and .L. falſe prophetes, ſhoulde bee kylled vppe, by ſome Helyas, thā that al the whole Iſraell ſhoulde peryſſhe. Iudge ye all, that hauehave anye wytte in youre heads. Howe be it, it is not my wyll,What moderation muſt be vſed in rooting out of ye papiſtes that anye man ſhoulde be murthered or put to death, oneleſſe it be wt the ſworde of the ſpyrite, & as the lorde ſpeaketh him ſelf by the prophet, ſaying: I wyl ſmyte the earth wt the rode of my mouth, & wt the breath of my lippes,Eſaye. xi wyl I ſlaye the vngodly, I wold wiſhe, yt all ſuche perſōs ſhuld be allured & won, by charitable meanes, yt they myght perceiue & ſe, yt moch more gētylnes is ſhewed vntounto thē, then they hauehave afore times ſhewed vntounto vsus, & agayn that ye magyſtrates, doo ſeeke onelye for theyr amendemente, and ſaluacyon of theyr ſoules, and not for theyr cheſtes and coffers. Neuertheles, yf they be obſtynate & ſtubborne, or goo aboute ſome tumulte and nouatyon of thynges, or elles hynder ſtyll the people, & kept thē back frō the truth of the goſpel, & frō Chriſt, the commen ſauiour of al mē: let them hardely feele that the Magiſtrate beareth not in vayne the tēporall ſworde. In dede, it is tyme that ſome of theim be tyed vp ſhorter, ſyth that thei be not afrayed,The bolde threateninges & ſhameful lyinges of the papiſtes. to threaten vsus, (& that, to thee great abaſhmēt of the weaker) that forenne Princes, yf we do not ſhortely recant, & come agayne to the olde faſhiō, wyll inuade, & come vponupon t…is noble & floriſhing Realme. Yea, ſay they (whē they be vponupon theyr ale benches, and in corners,the cōmunicatiō of Papiſtes vponupon their ale bēches and in corners, wher they dare vtter oute theyr poyſon. where they thincke, they may vtter out ſoche doctryne) the proudeſte of them all, meaning the head rulers & mageſtrates, through whoſe vigilante care, true religiō hath ben reſtored, and ſet vp agayne, be in doubte, what they may do. They trēble & quake for feare, yf they do but heare ones, that noble & moſt redoubted emprour, named. They do almoſt crepe into a mouſe hole, whē they heare daylye, howe he handeleth theyr brethren in Chriſte beyonde thee ſea. They woold geue (yea marye wold they) thouſande thouſandes, that thee holy and bleſſed Maſſe, had neuer bene put downe by thē. They woulde fayne hauehave it vp agayne, yf they knew, howe they myght do it handſomely, and not to theyr ſhame and rebuke.
Soche is theyr communication abroade, among the ſymple & ignorant people, and that of late. It is no meruayle then, that the moſte parte of thee louinge ſubiectes of thys Realme, do yet bothe abhorre, and vtterlye refuſe the wholſome doctrine of theyr ſaluation, ſythe that ſo many falſe Prophetes, are yet ſuff…red, to be among them, and ſo fewe faythfull Paſtours prouyded for, and ſent vntounto them. For truely, thys is one of the chiefeſte cauſes of the blyndneſſe of the people,Another cauſe of ye blyndneſſe of the peop…e. and that they are ſo eaſely ſeduced, and brought into erroure, by falſe Prophetes, that dayelye and hourely come vntounto theym in ſhepes clothynge. They lacke trewe Paſtours. They wante faythfull teachers and guydes. Theyr watche men are all blynde, they hauehave all togeather no vnderſtandinge,Eſay. lvi. they are all domme dogges, not beynge able to barke, they are ſlepye, ſloggyſh, and lye ſnortyng, they are ſhameleſſe dogges, that be neuer ſatiſfyed. Theyr ſhepehardes in lyke maner, hauehave noo vnderſtandinge, but eueryevery man turneth hys owne way eueryevery man after hys owne coueteouſneſſe, wyth al hys power. How (I beſeche you) can the people, hauyng ſuch blynde bouſardes too theyr guydes & paſtoures, get anye vnderſtandynge or knowledge? How ſhall they dyſcerne the falſe prophetes, from the true paſtoures and faythfull minyſters. They trulye, as yonge innocente babes, wyl embrace poyſone, for wholeſome meate, and take vppe a ſcorpyon for all egge. But nowe, whome ſhall wee blame mooſte chyefelye, for thys? Thee Byſſhoppes? thee Kynge and hys honourable Counſaile?Marke & waygh the ſe thinges o ye Princes of thee world, and hygh prelates of churches, lette thē not be forgotten. forſothe, yf there were anye ſuſpycyon, that anye forenne prynce or nacyon, wolde invade thys Realme: by and by ſhulde in all thee haſte, and wythe all dylygence, watche meane bee ſette oute, in all thee portes and vttermooſte places of thee countreye, too eſpye out the commynge of thee enemyes, and to geue warnynge thereof. And why ſo, A praye you? becauſe that the louyng Subiectes of thys Realme, ſhuld by theyr ſodayne comyng & arryuing, take no maner of harme in theyr goodes & bodies, How moch more then. ſyth yt ſo many cruell and myghty enemyes, do alwayes wythout ceaſſing, and intermiſſion, be ſet vsus rounde about, endeuourīg thē ſelf, both night & day, wt all their myghte and power, to ſpoyle vsus, of that moſte precyous Iewell, that chriſte hym ſelf the onelyonly begotten ſō ne of the father,We ar alwayes in peryl & ieopardye to be ſpoyled by our ghoſteli enemyes, of that precious iewel that chriſt hath purchaſed vntounto vsus. hath wyth the ſhedynge of hys dere bloude, purchaſed vntounto vsus, and ſo to murther moſt myſerablye both our bodyes and ſoules, hauynge beſides that theyr eſpyes, eueryevery where here amonge vsus, ſo maſked and diſguyſed in ſhepes clothynge and ſkynnes, that they can ſcarſely be knowen, from oure frendes and wel wyllers: oughte true and faythful watche men to be ſent out into al corners? to bee apoynted and ſet in al places? O prepoſterous, peruerſe, and ouerthwarte iudgement. In thynges that are tranſitory, and fade away lyke the graſſe, yt is to ſay, in thynges yt belong to our corruptyble bodyes, and thee preſeruatyon, or ſauegarde of the ſame, wee are moſt diligēt & careful, but in thynges that belonge vntounto thee ſoules, whyche are immortall, and neuer dye, but after thee deathe of thee bodyes, bee alwayes, eyther in excedynge greate ioye, or elles in paynes and tormentes vnſpeakeable, yea, the bodyes at ye daye of iudgemente, being vnyted and ioyned agayne vntounto theyr ſoules, ſhall be partakers of eyther of theym: it is impoſſible to tell, howe careleſſe & negligente we are. Whych thinge, beſydes all other argumentes, maye bee proued by thys. In all thee townes of warre, of thys Realme, ſtronge garriſons, (as it is moſte conueniente and mete) are ſette, noble and valiant Captaynes, and faythfull, or truſtye watch men are appoynted, nothinge is lefte vncared for, that maye be for the ſauegarde of thoſe fortes and townes: But nowe home many paryſhe churches in England,Churches are ye watchinge or eſpyinge towres of the kingdō of Chriſte. whych Churches, by ryghte maye be called, the watchinge or eſpyinge towres of the euerlaſtinge Kyngdom, of oure heauenly Kyng and ſauiour Ieſus Chriſt, are prouided of true and faythfull watche men? Not ſcarcely one amonge .xl. hathe a true paſtoure or miniſter,The c…uſe why paryſſhe Churches are not prouyded of true and faythful miniſters. and why? Thys is one of the cauſes why. Lordes and gentilmē, hauehave all moſt all the lyuinges of Churches in theyr handes. And as longe as they maye gette ſyr Iohn lacke latyn, to ſerue theyr cure vnderunder them, for a lyttle or nothinge, that is to ſaye: for .vi. or viii.li. a yeare, where as they theyr ſelfe, receaue and take yearely vponupon it, ſome lx ſome .C.li. ſome more, ſome leſſe, it wyll neuer be, that they ſhal ſet godlye learned men in them. O mercyful god, what meane the heade rulers, and gouernoures of thys worlde (here I do vnderſtand Kinges, Emperours, hyghe Prelates and Byſſhoppes) whome the ſcryptures and woorde of god do call, paſtoures and ſhepeherdes of thee people? What aunſwere ſhall they make vntounto hym, that is thee paſtoure of all, when he ſhall requyre oute of theyr handes, thee bloude of hys dere boughte ſhepe, that dyd peryſſhe, and daylye doo peryſſhe, thoroughe theyr neglygence and fawlte. My mynde abhorrethe too remember, howe horryble and greuous punyſſhementes are prepared for theym. God, of hys mercyfull bountuouſneſſe graunte, that oure noble and ſoueraigne Lorde thee kynge, and all hys honourable counſayle, for thee dyſcharge of theyr conſcyences, maye ſhortelye ſee an order in it, that all thee paryſſhes thoroughe oute all Englande and other of thee kynges dominyons, maye bee prouyded of true paſtoures and mynyſters.
In the meane ſeaſon, that thys ſhal bee a doynge, too fence and arme thee louynge ſubiectes of thys Realme againſt thoſe rauenynge wolues yt come to them in ſhepes ſkinnes, I hauehave here, accordyng to the lytle, that I can doo, tranſlated out of latyn into Englyſh, a boke, whyche maye ryght wel be called: Thee ymage of bothe paſtoures, ſette forthe by that moſt famous clerke Huldryche zwinglius Byſſhop of Tigure, and called by hym Paſtoure. It is a verye profytable and neceſſarye booke, and moſte worthye, not onelye to bee tranſlated into all tongues, but alſo to bee hadde and reade in all thee Churches of Chriſtendome.The dyuiſion of the whole worcke For there fyrſte and formoſte the congregacyon ſhall ſee, thee true and faythfull paſtoure, mooſte lyuelye depycted,What is contayned in the firſt parte. and ſette oute in hys owne coloures, whyche are taken oute none other where, than oute of thee cheſtes and coffers of thee holye and ſacred ſcryptures. Whereby, anye man ſhall learne, howe farre from all voluptyes and pleaſures of thee fleſſhe, thys offyce and vocatyon is. For who ſo euer taketh thys mynyſterye and functyon in hande, muſte continually with out ceaſſing & intermiſſiō, warre, ſtryue, and fyght, agaynſt all fleſhe, and al the power and ſtrength of it, agaynſte his owne patentes, kynſefolkes, brethren, and ſyſters, yea againſt his own ſelfe, and al the concupyſcences, and luſtes of hys owne fleſſhe, agaynſte all pompe and pryde of thys worlde, and all the myghtye Prynces of it: Fynallye, what ſoeuer, is in anye maner of thynge, repugnaunte vntounto god, he ſhal profeſſe and declare hym ſelfe, an open enemye agaynſte it. Thee conſyderatyon of whyche thynges,Yf a man doth admyniſter ſufficiently the office of a Paſtour, it is the very worcke of god and not of mā. doeth playnelye teache vsus, that too adminiſter thys greate and peryllous offyce, worthelye and ſuffycyentelye, is thee verye worcke of God, and not of mannes ſtrengthe. To doo it, I ſaye, trulye and ſyncerely, it commethe not of manne, but onelye of God, whych geuethe vsus ſtrengthe, too beare ſo heauy a burden. In thee ſeconde parte,What is contayned in the ſecō de parte. the rauenynge wolues, whyche beynge clothed in ſhepes ſkynnes, doo counterfeyte thee true ſhepeheardes, are deſcrybed and ſette forthe to thee eyen of thee congregatyon, and in a maner, ſhewed wythe thee fynger. For, there anye manne ſhall ſee, theyr wyde gapynge mouthes, theyr ſharpe teethe (wherewythe they alwayes threaten ſlaughter and murther) and woluyſſhe pawes (for thee ſhepes ſkynnes, wherewythe they hauehave dyſguyſed theym ſelues can not hyde all thynges) to appeare out. To be ſhort, all the congregatyons and churches, that are not yet prouyded of true mynyſters, ſhall by thys lyttel boke (yf it be trulye peruſed and reade) learne, in the meane ſeaſon, too dyſcerne and knowe thee true and faythfull paſtoures, from thee deuelyſſhe rauenynge wolues, be they neuer ſoo maſked and dyſguyſed. Whych truely, wyl be noo ſmalle helpe vntounto theym afterwardes (when true paſtoures, ſhall thoroughe thee fatherlye care of oure ſouereyn lorde the kynge, and hys honourable counſayle, bee ſente vntounto theym (too come vntounto the true relygyon, and godlyneſſe.A prayer vntounto God for to ſende true & faythfull Paſtours. O mercyfull pryeſte, and chyefe Byſſhoppe Ieſus Chiyſte, voucheſafe (wee beſeche thee) of thy bountuous mercyfulneſſe, to ſende oute, true and faythefull labourers, into thy holye harueſte, for too breake and dyſtrybute thee breade of thy holye worde, vntounto theym, that hunger for it. Voucheſafe alſo, o mooſte true and faythfull ſhepehearde, to ſtrengthen, wythe thy holy ſpyrite, all preachers and teachers, yt thou haſte ſente, and dayly do ſende, to fede thy dere boughte flocke, too thee intente that they maye boldelye and earneſtlye ſette theyr ſoules in the defence of thy holye worde, and for their ſhepe, agaynſt all the threatenynges, and falſe enterpryſes, of thee rauenynge wolues and falſe prophetes that goo aboute too ſeduce and bryng vsus oute of the ryght waye, for theyr belyes ſake, throughe theyr falſe doctryne. And that they maye ſo teache and declace vntounto vsus, thy holye lawe, and Goſpell, that we beyng taughte and edyfyed, maye daylye more and more magnyfye thy godlye honoure.
Now I hauehave ſhortly declared and ſhewed, the chyefe and pryncypal cauſes of thee blyndneſſe, that yet at thys preſente, raignethe amonge thee ſymple and ygnoraunte people, and what moued me too tranſlate thys golden booke, and mooſte excellente worcke. Whyche trulye, yf that godlye Nehemias, thee reparatour of Hieruſalem were amonge vsus, I woulde hauehave dedicated vntounto hym, and too none other. Sythe then that youre grace hathe bene a verye Nehemias vntounto vsus (for, thoroughe youre vigilaunte care, the true Hieruſalem, whiche is the Churche that was all couered wythe thee rubbiſſhe of Antichriſtes tradityons, is now at this preſente, newe builded vp agayne) I coulde do no leſſe, but to dedicate it vntounto your grace. And thoughe it is not ſo eloquentely and fynely tranſlated, as manye, yt were naturally borne and brought vp in thys countreye, myghte hauehave done it: Yet not wytheſtandynge, hauehave I a good hope, that youre grace (ſuche is your Pryncely gentylneſſe) wyll take it in good worthe, not ſo muche conſyderyng the thinge it ſelfe, as the beneuolent hart, that it comethe from. The Lorde knowethe howe greate a louelove and affcctyon, not onelye I, but generallye all true Chriſtyans, doo beare vntounto you, and that, for the excedynge great zeale that youre grace, hathe had alwayes to true relygyon and godlineſſe. This louelove and affectyon, was ryght wel declared and manyfeſted, by thee teares and daylye prayers of thee faythfull, when that euerlyuyng and almyghty God (who alwayes chaſtyſeth theim, whome he louethe) dyd ſuffre youre grace to be tryed, wythe thee fyre of trouble and afflyctyon. As then, all thee whole congregation of thee faythfull dyd withe mournynge teares, make earneſte interceſſyon and prayer vntounto almyghtye God, for your graces delyueraunce: ſo nowe I doo mooſte humblye beſeche hym, that is the auctoure of all good thynges, that he voucheſafe of hys goodneſſe and mercye, ſo wythe hys holye ſpyryte too rule, guygde, and gouerne you, in all youre wayghtye affayres, withe that moſt gracyous Ladye, your true louing ſpouſe and wyfe, that what ſoeuer youre grace ſhall thinke or do, may be to the glory of god, to the cōmune weale of this Realme, & ſaluacion of youre ſoule.
¶Youre poore oratour Iohn Verou.