But as your excellent resolution is to haue the state of the Church and Commonwealth no worse : so we reioyce to heare of your princely consultation to make them both better . Alwaies the noble Princes Reformers haue added somewhat to their predecessors worke ; and where the other left , they began : Dauid brought the Priests and Leuits to order : 2. Chro. 14.3 . 2. Chro. 17.6 . 2. King . 18.4 . 2. Chr. 35.18 . Salomon built the Temple : Asa tooke away Idolatrie : Iehosaphat remoued the high places : Hezekiah brake downe the brasen Serpent : Iosias restored the feast of the Passeouer to his first integritie : vnder Nehemiah the feast of Tabernacles was reuiued : Neh. 18.5 . So in England Henrie the eight expelled the Pope , and abolished Idolatrie : King Edward proceeded , and abrogated the Masse : Queen Elizabeth went yet further , took order for recusants , seminary seducing Priests , & Iudasits : and somewhat it may be is yet remaining , either to be amended or added by your Maiestie ; for we doubt not , but that you haue set your heart to seeke the Lord ; and with Hezekiah , 2. King . 20.3 . to do that which is good in his sight . That saying of Alexander doth well fit a Christian Prince : It profiteth not to possesse all things , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . and to do nothing . As we ioy to see you a possessor of the Crowne , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . so we desire to behold you an agent in Christs Church : we ioy from our hearts to see what reformation your M●●estie hath begun in the Common-wealth , in staying of monopolies , redressing of oppression and extortion by officers , restraining vnlawfull games vpon the Lords day . We do also as much reioyce to thinke of your princely resolution for matters Ecclesiasticall , In restoring the reuenues of the Church , and misliking the law of Annexation , in maintaining the three estates of Parliament , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 43. l. 1. p. 43. l. 10. vide l. 23. in seeing that all Churches in your dominions be planted with good Pastors . And that euery Church may be thus planted with a good Pastor , one should no longer be suffered to haue many ; nor he that is no good Pastor nor able to teach , any : and if the Pastor must be planted in his Church , then to be plucked and pulled from thence by long absence , is not fit . Thus so many hundred Churches that want teachers shall be supplied ; and diuers hundred Preachers not yet called abroade , shall be employed . But seeing a great cause of an vnlearned Ministery is want of maintenance , we thanke God for your Highnesse Christian care also herein , p. 44. l. 1. that sufficient prouision be made for the sustentation of Ministers : which may be fitly done , if patrons were vrged to bestow their liuings freely , and better order were taken for impropriations ; that such as are of the Churches fee , be demised for the old rent to the incumbent Preacher ; such as belong to others , be charged with some conuenient portion to issue forth for the maintenance of the Pastor . But I presume not to prescribe a course , but onely to giue my simple aduice . To our great comfort also your Maiestie hath declared your princely care and desire , p. 43. l. 26. that the doctrine and discipline be preserued according to Gods word : whereas the first hath bin in this Church by some with vnsound teaching corrupted , as I haue partly shewed in the Preface following ; the other by some much neglected , by others not vsed well . There are bookes abroade maintaining offensiue doctrine , too much declining to poperie , which haue done great hurt : it might please your Maiestie that such dangerous bookes might be inhibited ; and because they are dispersed into many hands , that they receiue some answer by publike allowance , or sufficient satisfaction from the authors , lest the infection spread further .

We also with thanks to God take knowledge of your Highnesse Christian disposition to peace , Pr●s . p. 11. ● . 16 that no contention shold be in the Church about ceremonies in your princely iudgement , indifferent ; whereabout the Church of England hath bene much distracted . Lycurgus is said , to auoide drunkennesse to haue forbid the vse of vines . Your Highnesse in good time may more easily remoue the iust occasions of offence : or so indifferently moderate them , that they breede no strife . God giue your Maiestie strength in due time to reforme both those , and what other abuses are in Church or Commonwealth . Some perhaps would haue your Maiestie to minister no phisicke at all , as though the Church ayled nothing : which were nothing else , but ( with Herodotus Selymbrianus in Plato ) to make a long and lingring sickenesse ; who falling into an incurable disease , Plato 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . deuised how to prolong death where he could not preuent it . Some would haue Heraclitus phisicke vsed to do nothing but purge ; who being sicke of a dropsie , desired the Phisitian to purge him throughly , to turne the abundance of showers into drought : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . so they would haue all purged , not the superfluous humors onely , but some profitable parts ; as the very calling it selfe of reuerend Pastors and Bishops : who while they attend the sincere preaching of the word , and the vncorrupt administration of discipline , may ( no doubt ) do the Church much good . But the better sort desire neither with Heroditus nothing to be purged , nor with Heraclitus all things to be euacuated and purged ; but rather approue Hippocrates method , that , what is euill may be purged , the rest to be conforted & strengthened . This was Saint Pauls course , to purge out the old leauen , that there might be a new lumpe . 1. Cor. 5.7 . We would not the leauen , lumpe of dough , and all to be cast out ; but the lumpe to be renewed , the old sower leauen to be reiected . Thus shall your Maiestie shew your selfe as Hierome saith of one , to be Hippocrates Christianorum , A right Hippocrates of Christians indeed ; that you may say with the kingly Prophet Dauid : Psal. 75.3 . The earth and the inhabitants thereof are dissolued , but I will establish the pillars of it . Your Maiestie as another Moses , can onely appease the strife betweene the Hebrewes ; and as another Constantine , to reconcile the Church-ministers , who wrote thus vnto them : Let me enioy good daies and quiet nights without care ; Date mihi dies tranquillos & noctes cura expertes : quod si min●s contingat , necessum est ingemiscere . Socr. 1.4 if not , my griefe will be the more . When your Highnes hath wrought this cure , you shal be no more troubled with petitions by day , nor careful meditations by night . Aristippus and Aeschines being fallen out , one asked the first , what was now become of their friendship ; he answered : It was asleepe , but he would awake it . When your Highnesse hath awaked the peace of the Church , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . you shal sleep more quietly your selfe , and not be troubled any more with Constantines carefull nights . You are our Salomon to iudge betweene vs : they that loue diuision , and to contend causlesse , let them haue the least part . Theodosius , Socrat. 5.10 . when Catholikes and Heretikes put vp their libels to him , prayed God to direct him : so your Maiestie well knoweth that your direction herein must come from God . Diuerse complaints as lots , are cast into your Princely lap , but the disposition thereof is of the Lord . God ( we trust , Prou. 16.33 . and for the same pray ) will so dispose your royall heart , that the best cause may haue the first lot , the most honest suite the happiest issue , and the iustest quarrell the fairest triall . Faile not their godly desire herein ( most gracious Prince ) that neuer would haue failed you : who were resolued ( I speake herein of mine owne knowledge ) to haue aduentured their liues and states for your Maiesties iust title : who waited for you , as for the raine , Iob. 29.23 . and for the consolation of Israell . Faile not then ( O noble King ) the hope of Christs Church , yea the expectation of Angels , yea the trust that Christ hath committed vnto you , to be a faithful seruant , as Moses in his house : so , as one saith , The eyes of men are not only cast vpon you , Heb. 3.2 . In te vnum puta cunctorum oculos conuersos , & ad spectaculum vitae totam consedisse Angliam : Deus ipse cum omni Angelorum militia certamen tuum expectat . Hier. ad Demetr. August . conf. lib. 3. ca. 12. and the whole land setled to behold your life ; but God and Angels expect your faithfull seruice . God , we verily trust will not faile you with his spirit : but as the Prophet saith , Whosoeuer calleth vpon the name of the Lord , shal be saued : so your prayers and teares which you poure vnto God , shall both saue you and your people ; as one said to Augustines mother , Non potest perire tantarum lachrymarum filius : the child of such prayers and teares cannot possibly perish or fall away .

Now as to our great comfort we enioy your Maiestie , a norishing father of Christs Church at home ; so your Highnesse is expected to be a succour and comfort to other afflicted Churches abroad : though you are not as a head to direct them , yet you may be as a hand to helpe them ; though not a roote to giue them life and sap , Gen. 49.22 . yet as a wall for the small branches to runne vpon , to stay them vp : as it is said of Ioseph . It was Iosua his honour , to ayde the Gibeonites their confederates , Iosua . 10.5 . against the combined Kings of Canaan . Dauid was a captaine to all that were distressed and afflicted . 1. Sam. 22 : 2 : Hercules is honoured in heathen stories , because he trauelled through the world to remoue cruell gouernours . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Noble Alexander is famous for the same , who conquered a great part of the world , reducing rude and barbarous people to ciuill life : who charged all to esteeme the whole world as their countrey ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Fox pag. 228. col. 2. good men , as their countrymen ; the bad , as aliens and strangers . Our English Chronicles do blame Henry the second for refusing to take the protection , and defence of the distressed Christians in Ierusalem , offered vnto him by Heraclius the Patriarke ; the troubles that befell him at home are ascribed to that cause . But Ecclesiasticall stories make honourable mention of the Emperour Theodosius the younger , Socrat. 7.23 . whose loue was such to the afflicted people of God , that being present to behold certaine publicke sights and shewes , and there hearing of the death of one Ioannes , a cruell rebell and tyrant , presently left the playes , and went to the Church to giue thankes to God . Queene Elizabeth was a foster mother to all distressed Christians ; and I doubt not , but all Protestants in the world shall receiue comfort ( in the cause of Religion ) from your Maiesties fauour , in being a mediator for their peace , or succour for their reliefe .

But of all other , we the poore companie of schollers and students , haue greatest cause to reioyce in your Maiestie , whom now we haue obtained a learned and iudiciall patron of our labours and writings : whereas before , no gift or present was held to be more base , nor lesse regarded of all hands . Schollers bookes , the trauaile of the soule , the weakning of the bodie , the care of the day , and studie of the night , were not not so welcome to the most , as a Lawyers fee from the client , or a tenants new-yeares gift to his Land-lord . I your Maiesties poore subiect could speake herein by experience , what small hartening I haue had in the world for my poore trauels in the Church : but I will be sparing in mine owne cause . And yet I speake not this as though we expected our reward from men ( though we be men , and had need of terrene encouragement : ) but I am bold , a poore writer of this Church of England , to poure forth the common griefe and complaint of students in this behalfe , into your princely bosome . Bookes were growne into such small request , that many would scarce vouchsafe the reading of them ; but few beare in mind who presented them : they were layed aside by the walles , or set vp onely to make a shew , as one saith : Senec. lib. 1. de tranquillitate vitae . Sacrorum opera ingeniorum in speciem & cultum parietum comparantur ; The labours of sacred wits were vsed onely to beautifie the walles .

But now we trust , as Homers Iliads were accepted of Alexander , which he made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the furniture of his iourney ; Terence workes of Scipio ; Origens bookes of Ambrosius , whom he called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because hee continually prouoked him to write ; and as Hieromes writings were esteemed of Damasus : so I doubt not , but scholers labours shall be as welcome to your Maiestie , as any other subiects presents . And in this confidence I haue bene bold againe to offer my seruice to your Maiestie . For as he that made that harpe wherewith Thales appeased the tumult of the Lacedaemonians ; and he that built the ship wherewith Themistocles did defend Greece , had cause more to reioice therein , then in any worke beside : so to none else we more willingly present our labours , then to your sacred Maiestie , a generall procurer of our peace , and defender of Church and countrey ; whose vigilant heart careth for all , whose diligent eye seeth for all , whose liberal hand reacheth vnto all . And not onely at this present , but while I liue , haue I purposed to consecrate my pen to the honor of your Maiestie ( if God will & you please : ) And I say with Hierome : Prefat. in Danielem . Quamdiu in hoc corpusculo sum , scribam aliquid gratum vobis , vtile Ecclesiae , dignum posteris .

But here one thing I cannot pretermit , to celebrate the great ioy of your Maiesties subiects for your princely acceptance of poore mens complaints , and the readie accesse to your royall person . It hath pleased your Maiesty to signifie herein , that it is your gracious pleasure and minde in giuing accesse to be so open and affable to euery ranke of honest persons , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 46. l. 12. as that they may make their owne sutes to you them selues , and not to employ others to be their intercessors . Therfore the King is said to go out and in before the people , 1. King . 3.7 . that they may haue free accesse vnto him in time & place conuenient : that though it be not for the safetie of the Prince to be so open as the Romane Tribunes , whose doores night and day were open to all suters ; nor yet fit to be locked vp and retired as the Persian kings ; or as Clearchus of Pontus , Plutarc . quaest. Rom. 81. p. 12. l. 19. that did hide himselfe and sleepe in a chest ; or Aristodemus king of the Argiues , that did clime vp into his hanging bed by a ladder , that no man should come vnto him : yet is it honorable ( as your Maiestie well knoweth , and we hope will practise ) for the Prince often to shew himselfe to his people , that they may flocke vnto him tanquam ad salutare sydus ; Seneca . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . as to a comfortable starre , as one saith ; and to be free for all to come vnto , as the altar . We shall not neede then ( especially the Ministers of the Gospell ) to complaine with Ambrose , who suing to the Emperour for one Higmus an ancient Bishop adiudged to exile , Epist. 27. ne sine veste & plumario pateretur extrudi , extrusus est ipse : that he should not be thrust out without his bed and clothes , was thrust out himselfe . But we praise God for your Maiestie , as the same father doth for the good Emperour Gratian , of whom he saith : Epist. 126. Scripsisti tua totam Epistolam manu , You wrote an Epistle with your owne hand : whom he compareth to Abraham which killed a calfe with his owne hands to entertaine the Angels : Nec in ministerio religioso aliorum adiumenta quaesiuit ; And in a religious worke sought not anothers helpe . For the like mercifull disposition in your Maiestie , in vouchsafing your selfe to attend the causes of your subiects , we say with S. Paul to Onesiphorus : 2. Tim. 1.18 . The Lord grant that you may find mercie with the Lord in that day .

Now lastly I craue pardon for my boldnesse and plainenesse of speech , not doubting but that your Maiestie approueth that saying of Ambrose vttered of noble Theodosius : Epist. 29· Neque imperiale est , libertatem dicendi negare ; neque sacerdotale , quod sentit non dicere : It is nether princelike , to denie liberty of speech ; nor ministerlike , not to speake what he thinketh . And we are not ignorant of your royall disposition herein , to loue those best that are plainest with you : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . p. 71. l. 3. which emboldneth me to say with Hierome , Mallem apud te verecundia parumper , quàm causa periclitari ; I had rather hazard my credite then the cause : but I trust I shall hazard neither , by any thing which out of a single heart , and loyall affection I haue vttered . I haue deliuered my conscience , discharged my dutie , and ( I hope ) not written otherwise then became me . I leaue the rest to your princely consideration , according to that saying in the Prouerbes : Prou. 9.9 . Da sapienti occasionem , & sapiet amplius . Thus I end with heartie prayer vnto God , so to strengthen your Maiestie with his grace , that you may be constant in all goodnesse to the end , zealous of his glorie to amend what is amisse , to supply what is wanting , to cherish the good , suppresse the euill , relieue the oppressed : so shall your Highnesse do that which shall be acceptable vnto God , honourable to your selfe , profitable to his Church , comfortable and ioyous to your owne soule in the end . Go forward then , noble King , in your wel-begun course ; follow your owne Christian iudgement , to practise as you haue prescribed , to performe as you haue purposed ; consider that all the people of this land are your sheepe : the Lord hath made you the chiefe ouerseer and Steward , according to your princely name , both of Church and Common-wealth . Of this Stewardship you must one day render account vnto God : prouide then , O Christian Prince , that you may do it with ioy . The Persian Kings alwayes appointed one in the morning to call vnto them ; Arise , O King , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . and take care of these things which Oromasdes biddeth thee be carefull of . But your Maiesties owne thankfull remembrance of Gods mercies , will suffice within to put you in mind , and sing as it were in your eares , what God requireth and you haue promised : and to thinke of Mordecay his speech to Queene Esther , Who knoweth whether thou art come to the Kingdome for such a time ? Esther 4.14 . As for vs , we trust by Gods grace to see so happie a chaunge by this chaunge , that whereas we had thought our selues vndone , we may truly say as Themistocles did , who being exiled his countrey was better entertained in the Persian court , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . We had perished , if we had not perished .

God graunt to your Maiestie a long and prosperous raigne ; to your noble Queene happie continuance with you ; and length of dayes to your honourable sonne , Prince Henrie , encrease of all princely graces with growth of yeares ; and to your royall posteritie to raigne ouer this land , if it be Gods will , vnto the worlds end : and vnto you all an endlesse reward in heauen , for your faithfull seruice to Christ here on earth . And so I conclude with Ambrose : Ipse me citiùs quàm vos obliuiscar ; & si vnquam sermo tacebit , loquetur affectus ( Iacobe & Henrice ) in vestris nominibus adhaerere iuuat , ( Gratiane , Valentiniane ) apud Ambr. & delectat in vestri commemoratione requiescere .