TO THE RICHT EXCELLENT RICHT

HEICH AND MICHTIE PRINCE IAMES THE SEXT

KING OF SCOTTIS, ZOUR HVMBLE SVBIECTIS THE COMMIS-

{ls}ionares of the Kyrkes of your Realme, wi{ls}h grace and peace with a pro{ls}perous

raigne, from GOD the Father, throuch our Sauiour

JESVS CHRIST.

TO THE RIGHT EXCELLENT, RIGHT

HIGH AND MIGHTY PRINCE JAMES THE SIXTH

KING OF SCOTS, YOUR HUMBLE SUBJECTS THE COMMIS-

{ls}ioners of the Kirks of your Realm, wi{ls}h grace and peace with a pro{ls}perous

reign, from GOD the Father, through our Saviour

JESUS CHRIST.

OVRe deutie craues at al occa{ls}iones to halde zour Hienes in remembrance of things perteining to the aduancement of Gods glorie and wel of his Kyrk, querwith is ioyned the pre{ls}eruation of zour e{ls}tate and haile body of this common welth. For aboue the common {ls}ort of Princes, (qha for the mo{ls}t part are ather ennemies to true religion, or elles think that the melling therwith troublis thair e{ls}tate, and are greatlie mouit with the wickit Herode [Math. 2.], quhen thay heare the wi{ls}emen {ls}eking for Chri{ls}t to adore him as a King) ze are of Gods louing mercie callit to this honour and dignity to be mainteinar of Gods eternall trueth, and mutually to be mainteinit by the {ls}ame: in {ls}ik {ls}ort, that in all troubles and commotionis that ony tyme thir xij yeres pa{ls}t haue di{ls}quietit zour common weill, two thingis haue euer bene annexit together and made as it were ane querel & ane cau{ls}e: to wit, the maintenance of Chri{ls}tis Euangel, and defence of your royal e{ls}tate. So that for the mai{ls}t part thay that haue bene ennemies to the richt religion haue bene ennemies likewi{ls}e to zour autoritie and crowne: as be the contrary the mai{ls}t feruent fauoraris of Gods trueth, haue euer bene founde mai{ls}t faithful {ls}ubiectis vnto zour Maie{ls}tie, and mainteinaris of zour weilfare and e{ls}tate. And in this re{ls}pect (no doubt) hes the Eternal at many tymes quhen materis appearit almai{ls}te de{ls}perate in mennis eyes, grantit maruelous {ls}ucce{ls}{ls}e & notable victories to thame quha {ls}u{ls}tenit zour querrel againis {y^e} greater forces, craftie & balde interpri{ls}es of the aduer{ls}ares of the {ls}ame quha althocht many of thame outwardly profe{ls}{ls}it the {ls}ame religion, zet gif thair attemptatis had come to effect, it {ls}ulde haue bene the moyen to {ls}uppre{ls}{ls}e the {ls}ame, and to erect {ls}uper{ls}tition and idolatrie againe in place thereof, quhilk our God walde not {ls}uffer, bot rather faucht be his awne power aganis thame, a{ls}wel for pre{ls}eruation of his trueth reueilit of his great mercie amangis vs, as of zour Hienes per{ls}one and e{ls}tate to be aduancer thereof in time to come. Quhilk in dede, Sir, is na {ls}mal honour vnto zou, to haue Gods cau{ls}e and zouris {ls}a linkit together, and is ane euident taken and iestimonie, that {ls}a lang is zour princelie e{ls}tate able to {ls}tand in al {ls}tabilitie quhow lang the puritie of religion & libertie of Chri{ls}tis Kirk {ls}albe carefully kepit & mainteinit be zou. Then gif oft times princes haue done many thingis for thair freindis and confederatis, & namelie {ls}ik as haue bene with thame in like danger & hazarde of tyning or winning, quhow mekle mair {ls}al it become zour Hienes to refu{ls}e na trauailes for {y^t} cau{ls}e of Chri{ls}ts kirk and true religion pre{ls}ontlie {ls}a mixit with zour awne e{ls}tate, that baith haue the {ls}elf {ls}ame friendis and vnfriendis, and are baith appearand to abide together the like danger to fall or to {ls}tand. Herefore we were mekle to be blamit and worthie to be accu{ls}it of neglecting our dewtie gif we {ls}ulde not from time to time (as oportunitie beis offrit) {ls}tirre vp, and labour to promoue zour gude minde in sa wuorthie and nece{ls}{ls}arie a cau{ls}e, whilkis, forther & forther to aduance the libertie of the Go{ls}pel and {ls}piritual bigging of the Kirk of God, be quhome ze are promotit & main reinit in this zour princelie e{ls}tate, to be mutually to zour power promotare and mainteinare of his glorie. And {ls}pecially now quh{e/n} as being c{o/n}uenit in our generall a{ls}{ls}emblie, this holy boke of God callit the Bible, newly imprentit, was brocht before vs be the prenter thereof Alexander Arbuthnot (a man quha hes taken great paines and trauailes worthie to be remembred in this behalfe) and de{ls}yrit to be dedicate to zour Hienes with a conuenient preface in our common Scottis language we colde not omit nor neglect the occa{ls}ion offrit to do the {ls}ame: Exhorting zou ma{ls}te earne{ls}tlie, Sir, to con{ls}ider to quhat place zour God hes callit zou, and to remember diligentlie quhow the {ls}etting forth and autori{ls}ing of this buke chiefly perteinis to zour charge. Trueth it is that the godly (men of the nation of England for the mai{ls}t part) bani{ls}hit fr{o/m} thair countrie for the Go{ls}pelis cau{ls}e and conuenit at Geneua, quha did faithfullie and lernedlie tran{ls}late this buke out of the pure fontainis of {y^e} Hebrewe Chaldaike & Greke tongues aucht to haue thair awne prai{ls}e for thair labouris be{ls}towit to the common weil of thame that {ls}peake our language. Zet for a{ls}mekle as thingis anis weil begunne craue & require great diligence to pre{ls}erue thame from decay after that with great labotis thay haue bene brocht to perfection, ane great part of the honor of aduanceing this worke perteinis vnto zou: be quhais autoritie it was of a certaine time bypa{ls}t ordainit that this holy buke of God {ls}ulde be {ls}et forthe and imprentit of newe within zour awne realme, to the end, that in euerie paroch kirk there {ls}ulde be at lei{ls}t ane thereof kepit to be callit the commoun buke of the kirke, as a mai{ls}t mete ornament for {ls}ik a place and a perpetuall regi{ls}ter of the word of GOD the fontaine of all true doctrine, to be made patent to all the people of euerie congregation as the only richt rule to direct & gouerne thame in materis of religi{o/n} as al{ls}wa to c{o/n}ferme thame in the {ii} trueth receauit and to reforme and redre{ls}{ls}e corruptiones quhen{ls}oeuer thay may crepe in. Certainelie we haue great occa{ls}ion baith to glorifie the gudenes of God toward this cuntrie, and al{ls}o heichly to extol and commend zour Hienes mo{ls}t godlie purpo{ls}e and enterpri{ls}e. O quhat difference may be {ls}ene betwene thir daies of light quhen almai{ls}t in euerie priuate hou{ls}e the buike of Gods lawe is red and vnder{ls}tand in our vulgaire language and that age of darkenes quhen {ls}kar{ls}lie in ane haill citie (without the clo{ls}tres of monkes and freires) culde the buke of God anes be founde, and that in ane {ls}trange tongue of latine not gud but mixed with barbaritie, v{ls}ed and red be fewe, and almai{ls}t vnder{ls}tand or exponit be nane. And quhen the fal{ls}e namit clergie of this realme abu{ls}ing the gentle nature of zour Hienes mai{ls}t noble Gud{ls}hir of worthie memorie made it an cappital crime to be puni{ls}hit with the fyre to haue or rede the new te{ls}tament in the vulgare language, zea, and to make them to al men mare odius as gif it had bene the dete{ls}table name of a pernicious {ls}ect, they were named new te{ls}tamentares, Verely gif we wolde wey thir matters aright, men {ls}ulde nether so aduance the time pa{ls}{ls}ed nether zit accu{ls}e this pre{ls}ent age, quhen this only {ls}piritual comfort of Gods worde aucht iu{ls}tly to be preferrit to al the vaine warldlie welth of the zeires pa{ls}t before: but rather with mo{ls}te thankful heartes prai{ls}e and extol the infinite gudnes of our God quha hes counted vs worthie to quhome he {ls}ulde open fre ane heauenly trea{ls}ure, and rai{ls}id vs vp the heroical {ls}pirits of princes, and namely of zour grace, for the out{ls}etting of the {ls}ame. Quharefore {ls}eing it hes plea{ls}it the gudnes of our God to {ls}chawe {ls}ic fauore and beneuolence towarde zour Hienes and this zour co{u/n}trie that now the truth of the Euangel is frelie trulie and {ls}incerlie preachit throughout al places vnder zour {ls}ubiection, of verie dutie the nixt care and {ls}tudie aucht to be howe this deuine warke may mare and mare be fortherit and performit. and al{ls}o mainteinit and continuit that the puritie of religion may lang time remaine amangs vs, to the comfort of this pre{ls}ent age, and of al po{ls}teritis to cume. And {ls}amekle the rather that the neglecting of this point in other places hes bene occa{ls}ion that mo{ls}t notable and happie beginnings hes oft times not taken {ls}ic end and {ls}uccesse as appearantlie micht haue followit gif the like prouision had bene made for the continu{a/n}ce as panes & trauels were taken for planting of true religion. Bot as the errours of others may make vs circ{u/m}{ls}pect {ls}a {ls}uld the rare and {ls}ingulare benifites of God laitly {ls}hawin to this realme incurage zour Hienes & zour hail {ls}ubiects in hope that this notable & excellent worke of the {ls}piritual edifying of {y^e} hou{ls}e of God {ls}hal take gud {ls}ucce{ls}{ls}e and happie end in zour hands, for {ls}ence the time it plea{ls}it God to deuolue the gouernement of this realme and care of e{ls}tabli{ls}hing his kirk in zour per{ls}one being then bot ane infant of tender age, c{o/n}tinually {ls}ic {ls}ucce{ls}{ls}e hes followit that not without iust cau{ls}e the mindes of mony are erected in that expectation that God {ls}all {ls}ome day v{ls}e zou as ane in{ls}trum{e/n}t to performe greater thinges for the welfaire of his Kirk, then ether we wil pre{ls}ently vtter, or be naturall rea{ls}on can be made probable. We omit now to {ls}peake how miraculou{ls}lie the truth of Gods worde wes fir{ls}t {ls}awin in this cuntrie be feble & weake in{ls}truments, or larglie to dilate how mercifullie things were broght to pa{ls}{ls}e without great inconuenient or cruel blud{ls}hed, and how the libertie of the Euangel hes bene so gratiou{ls}lie granted to vs without ony extreme harme and damnage, quhilk other great & potent nationes thir mony zeires with extreme trubles and fearful battels to the great lo{ls}e of their lifes and gudes, hes lang {ls}ocht for, and zit neuer fully obtened nether minde we at this pre{ls}ent to declare how wonderfullie zour grace hes bene pre{ls}eruit euin from zour conception and birth to this day, how happelie factiones & controuer{ls}ies concerning zour royal e{ls}tate haue bene {ls}etled and extingui{ls}hed, and {ls}hortly how mony and notable workes aboue all worldlie expectation interpri{ls}it in zour mo{ls}t happie name haue bene broght to lukkie end and gud effect, the fauore & ble{ls}{ls}ing of God continualie following them with better {ls}ucce{ls}{ls}e then men durst other hope for or de{ls}yre. Thir things and mony others mare particulare (the ample di{ls}cours wherof we remitte vnto the hi{ls}tories) as they te{ls}tifie vnto vs the bontiful gudnes of God, baith toward your maie{ls}tie and this realme, so aucht they to {ls}tirrre vp all hartes to thankfulnes, and cherfullie in curage zou to pa{ls}{ls}e fordwart in this great worke of reformation of religion and beilding the {ls}piritual temple of the Lord. The fundation wherof being alreadie laide by publict vniuer{ls}al preaching of true doctrine throuchout the haile realme, it re{ls}teth that the worke may be pro{ls}ecute and the building brocht to ane gud perfection by e{ls}tabli{ls}hing of di{ls}cipline and mete policie in the kirk of God, not taken out of the Ci{ls}ternes of traditiones of men, bot of the pure fontanis of Gods haly worde. Quhilk thing wi{ls}lie begunne in zour Hienes name by zour first Regent of godlie memorie, and ordeined be act of parliament to be followit forthe, hes bene delig{e/n}tly prea{ls}{ls}ed for, fr{o/m} time to time, bot e{ls}pecialy now {ls}ence {y^e} acceptati{o/n} of {y^e} gouernem{e/n}t in zour owne per{ls}one: quh{e/n} as not onely ma{ls}t louinglie & willingly ye did re{ls}aue {y^e} boke of {y^e} policie of the kirk offred by th{e/m} quha were direct to zour maie{ls}tie in name of {y^e} general kirk, bot al{ls}o wes very cairful to finde out m{e/n} mete for confer{e/n}ce vp{o/n} the heads of {y^t} {ls}ame, lam{e/n}ting for the raritie of {ls}ic kynde of per{ls}ones as were de{ls}yred to c{o/n}fere thereup{o/n}, & hes appoited diuers times & places where {ls}ik c{o/n}fer{e/n}cis in zour name & at your c{o/m}mandement haue bene had, not without fruct & agrem{e/n}t in mony {iii} heads to be pa{ls}{ls}ed in lawes, but {w^t} expectation of greater things after to followe vpon forther conferrence, prouiding {ls}ic meh be appointed thereto as zour Hienes wi{ls}{ls}it, and we mai{ls}t earne{ls}tly craue quharinto we dout not of zour awin gud wil as of before, for it {ls}uld be but trauel lo{ls}it quhat {ls}oeuer hes bene hitherto be{ls}towed tharein, gif the worke {ls}al not be followed furth, and brocht to god {ls}hew and end. Quhareunto we exhort zour grace mai{ls}t effecteou{ls}ly, for nathing can be fond mare proper & ganand quharein ane Chri{ls}tiane prince of {ls}ic expectation as ze are, {ls}uld giue a true prufe of the gude & {ls}ound affection quhilk he beares to the auancement of Gods glorie, and of the Kingdome of Ie{ls}us Chri{ls}t. Truth it is that Satan cea{ls}es not nether wil cea{ls}e hereafter to obiect mony and great impedimentes to the hinderance of this Godlie intorpri{ls}e of bringing the {ls}pirituall beilding of the hou{ls}e of God to perfection, quuilk we alwaies are in gud hope (adioyning thereto our continual praiers) zour gud and heroik zele {ls}all ouercome, albeit not without {ls}um hard difficulties and weri{ls}ome lattis, euen of them quha aucht of dewtie to put thair handis to this warke. We rede in this buik quhow mony & difficil impedementis were offrit to Zorobabel and the Iewes to {ls}tope the biging and repating of the temple of Ieru{ls}alem. Sumetyme they were expre{ls}ly contramandit be the edictis of the great monarche, Sometimes be the threatning of thair aduer{ls}aires round about them. Sumetime be dome{ls}tical enenemies, hypocritis craftie warldlings and oppre{ls}{ls}oris of thair brethren, Zit againis all thir the Prophet opponis the commandement of God and promi{ls}e of his a{ls}{ls}i{ls}tance to perfurme the warke. [In the bukes Ezra & Neh. Agg. 12.] The lyke or rather greater impedimentis be obiectit this day, againis the {ls}pritual beilding of Gods hou{ls}e. The Kingis and great monarchies of the earth threaten wrake and de{ls}truction to all them that {ls}all melle with this warke. The fal{ls}e namit Kirkmen that pretend to be biggares vp, demoli{ls}h it, and gif they had power, wold ca{ls}t downe al to the grounde, as thair wickit con{ls}peracie concludit at Trent dois {ls}pecifie. In quhat cauldnes the former zele of mony is now changit, zea, quhat carele{ls}nes of maters of Religion in all e{ls}tates it may mare then euidently appeare. The in{ls}atiable couety{ls}e of euerie ane to apply & appropriat to them {ls}elues, the common rentes of the kirk, dois ouertrulie declare quhat con{ls}cience m{e/n} haue, (and {ls}pecially the greite{ls}t, quho{ls}e antece{ls}{ls}ores liuit more honorablie vpone thair awin) to be manife{ls}t tran{ls}gre{ls}{ls}ores in dede, of that Religion quhilk in word to thair {ls}hame baldly they profe{ls}{ls}e. And last of all, the manife{ls}t corruption of our liues in all e{ls}tates the licentious and Godles liuing of the multitude, the impunitie of {ls}inne and wickednes, the cruel and vnaturall murtherers heynous and dete{ls}table ince{ls}tes, adulteries, {ls}orceries, and mony {ls}iclike enormities, with the oppre{ls}{ls}ion and contempt of the pure allnai{ls}t vniuer{ls}al, corruption of iu{ls}tice and iudgement, and mony other euils that ouerflowe this commonwelth, beare euident witnes how {ls}klender & {ls}mal {ls}uce{ls}{ls}e hitherto followit the reformation of religion within this realme. And do prouoke the iudgementes of God, alace, ouer{ls}ore aganis vs. And zit nane of the{ls}e impediments, na not they all conioynit together {ls}uld di{ls}curage zour Hienes to go fordwart in this Godly warke anis begunne. bot the hope of Gods a{ls}{ls}i{ls}tance, (quho is able to moue heauen and earth quhen plea{ls}es him) the promi{ls}e of his pre{ls}ence and grace, and the happie end to followe aucht rather to inflame and rai{ls}e vp zour royal heart mare con{ls}tantlie to fecht and ouercome all the lettes that Satan and his crafty {ls}upo{ls}ts can deui{ls}e, It appeares weil that GOD hes cho{ls}en zou as a {ls}ingulare in{ls}trument to be as a paterne and en{ls}ample to al other princes of zour time; in offring zou {ls}o faire occa{ls}iones to put the Kirk of God to ful libertie, to purge it from corruption, to e{ls}tabli{ls}h {ls}ic decent and comelie policie within the {ls}ame as his word craues, and to prouide for the lang during and perpetuitie thereof, {ls}eing it hes plea{ls}it him to make zour grace from zour tender zouthhead to be brocht vp in the true knawlege and feire of his name: to make the pure doctrine of the Go{ls}pel in perfite vnitie without ony {ls}chi{ls}me or contrauer{ls}ie to be planely & peceably publi{ls}hit throuch all the boundes of zour dominion. And finallie to make this policie of the Kirk to be humblie and earne{ls}tly crauit to be e{ls}tabli{ls}hit be zour Hienes be the mai{ls}t parte of the true {ls}ubiectes of zour realme. Sic preclare occa{ls}ions aucht not to be omitted; remembring how all Kings are commandit to ki{ls}{ls}e and embrace the {ls}onne of God and to be nuri{ls}hers of his Kirk. [P{ls}al. 2.] Therefore aganis all impediments, propone & oppone the earne{ls}t zele of Dauid quha culd take no re{ls}t nor {ls}lepe vnto his eyes vntil he had found the place quhair the Lord {ls}uld haue his re{ls}ting place amongis his people. [P{ls}al. 133 [132].] Call for the wi{ls}dome of Salomon to indew zour grace with a principall Spirit a{ls}wel as in the outwarde policie, in aduanceing the {ls}piritual policie of his Kirk. [1. King. 3.] Imitate the feruent faith of Ieho{ls}haphat, putting his hail tru{ls}t in the Lord, and beleuing his Prophetes. [2. Chro. 20.] The diligence of Iehoa{ls}h in reparing the hou{ls}e of the Lord. [2. King. 12.] followe the Godly Ezechias in ruting out all monuments of Idolatrie, & depending fermlie vpon the Lord. [2. Chro. 29.] The faithful zong Io{ls}iah, in making the buke of the Law of God lang time downe smorit, and kept in {ls}ilence: ze vtterly tynt and forgettin, to be publikly red, acceptit be the people, and recommendit to the po{ls}teritie. [2. Chro. 34.] To {ls}ic deligence as this did the Prophetes Haggai, Zechariah & Malachi, exhort the princes of the Iewes. And {ls}chortly {ls}ic Godly interpri{ls}es as thay haue made the great Con{ls}tantine, the gentle Gracian, the Godly Theodo{ls}e, and {ls}ic otheres to be worthi- {iv} of Eternal memorie & c{o/m}mendati{o/n}. Nether is it aneuch to beginne weil, as did {ls}ome Kings of Iuda & afterwart faintit in thair procedingis: bot there chiefly is requirit con{ls}tancie & per{ls}euerance, {w^t} out {ls}hrinking til th{i/n}gis be brocht to an gud order, & {ls}table e{ls}tate. Nether aucht zour Grace {o/n}ly luke quhow mekle is done, bot rather quhow mekle re{ls}tis vnperformit, euer th{i/n}k{i/n}g {y^t} great dilig{e/n}ce is requirit to go fordwart, & great att{e/n}dance to be geuin {y^t} th{i/n}gs done may abide & c{o/n}tinually incre{ls}{ls}e, til thay come to dew perfecti{o/n}. This is a mater worthie of zour royal heart, a purpo{ls}e proper for the exerci{ls}e of the viuacie of zour deuine & heich ingine. This is a mai{ls}t faire feild to rine in & exerce the cour{ls}e of zour zouth. And a thing mai{ls}t mete to make knaw{e/n} quhat aucht to be {y^t} principal {ls}tudie of a Chri{ls}tiane prince, declar{i/n}g quhow nether we zour natural {ls}ubiectis, nether {y^e} godly & faithful of foraine nati{o/n}s haue in vaine {ls}a lang lokit for {ls}ome notable & excellent warke to procede fr{o/m} zour Maie{ls}ties autorite for promoting of Gods glorie, & e{ls}tabli{ls}hing of his true religi{o/n}. The quhilk (na doubt) {ls}albe ane exceding honor and perpetual renome, that {ls}al followe zour Hienes. All other glorie at la{ls}t {ls}al decay, and all c{o/m}mendation that re{ls}ultes of other princely actes ather is not of lang indurance, or hes c{o/m}monly mixit therewith, {ls}ik thingis as be al{ls}wa worthie of blame, bot the honor of this acte {ls}all indure for euer, and {ls}albe fully appreuit be him quho{ls}e iudgement can na wayis be bot equal and richt, quha is the Eternal Lord of lordis, & King of kingis, quhome with mai{ls}t humble harte and in{ls}tant prayer we be{ls}eik to ble{ls}{ls}e zour Maie{ls}tie with continual and daylie incre{ls}{ls}e of his abundant ble{ls}{ls}ingis, a{ls}weil {ls}pirituall as temporall, and to mainteine in welthie pro{ls}peritie zour Princelie e{ls}tate to the prai{ls}e and glorie of his halie name; zour a{ls}{ls}ured {ls}aluation, the comforte & quietnes of this cuntrie, the ouerthrawe of the power of Satan, the aduancement of the kingdome of

Ie{ls}us Chri{ls}t.    From Edinburgh in our ge-

neral a{ls}{ls}emblie the tent day of

Iulie. 1579.

(∴)

OUR duty craves at all occa{ls}ions to hold your Highness in remembrance of things pertaining to the advancement of God's glory and weal of his Kirk, wherewith is joined the pre{ls}ervation of your e{ls}tate and whole body of this common{WJ} wealth. For above the common {ls}ort of Princes, (who for the mo{ls}t part are either enemies to true religion, or else think that the meddling therewith troubles their e{ls}tate, and are greatly moved with the wicked Herod [Math. 2.], when they hear the wi{ls}emen {ls}eeking for Chri{ls}t to adore him as a King) ye are of God's loving mercy called to this honour and dignity to be maintainer of God's eternal truth, and mutually to be maintained by the {ls}ame: in {ls}uch {ls}ort, that in all troubles and commotions that any time these 16 years pa{ls}t have di{ls}quieted your common{WJ} wealth, two things have ever been annexed together and made as it were one quarrel & one cau{ls}e: to wit, the maintenance of Chri{ls}t's Evangel, and defence of your royal e{ls}tate. So that for the mo{ls}t part they that have been enemies to the right religion have been enemies likewi{ls}e to your authority and crown: as by the contrary, the mo{ls}t fervent favourers of God's truth, have ever been found mo{ls}t faithful {ls}ubjects unto your Maje{ls}ty, and maintainers of your welfare and e{ls}tate. And in this re{ls}pect (no doubt) has the Eternal at many times when matters appeared almo{ls}t de{ls}perate in men's eyes, granted marvelous {ls}ucce{ls}s & notable victories to them who {ls}u{ls}tained your quarrel against {y^e} greater forces, crafty & bold enterpri{ls}es of the adver{ls}aries of the {ls}ame who although many of them outwardly profe{ls}{ls}ed the {ls}ame religion, yet if their attempts had come to effect, it {ls}hould have been the means to {ls}uppre{ls}s the {ls}ame, and to erect {ls}uper{ls}tition and idolatry again in place thereof, which our God would not {ls}uffer, but rather fought by his own power against them, a{ls}{WD}well for pre{ls}ervation of his truth revealed of his great mercy amongst us, as of your Highness per{ls}on and e{ls}tate to be advancer thereof in time to come. Which in{WJ} deed, Sir, is no {ls}mall honour unto you, to have God's cau{ls}e and yours {ls}o linked together, and is an evident token and testimony, that {ls}o long is your princely e{ls}tate able to {ls}tand in all {ls}tability how long the purity of religion & liberty of Chri{ls}t's Kirk {ls}hall{WD}be carefully kept & maintained by you. Then if oft{WJ} times princes have done many things for their friends and confederates, & namely {ls}uch as have been with them in like danger & hazard of losing or winning, how much more {ls}hall it become your Highness to refu{ls}e no travails for {y^t} cau{ls}e of Chri{ls}t's kirk and true religion pre{ls}ently {ls}o mixed with your own e{ls}tate, that both have the {ls}elf{WJ} {ls}ame friends and unfriends, and are both appearant to abide together the like danger to fall or to {ls}tand. Herefore we were much to be blamed and worthy to be accu{ls}ed of neglecting our duty if we {ls}hould not from time to time (as opportunity is offered) {ls}tir up, and labour to promove your good mind in so worthy and nece{ls}{ls}ary a cau{ls}e, which{WD}is, further & further to advance the liberty of the Go{ls}pel and {ls}piritual building of the Kirk of God, by whom ye are promoted & main{WJ} tained in this your princely e{ls}tate, to be mutually to your power promoter and maintainer of his glory. And {ls}pecially now wh{e/n} as being c{o/n}vened in our general a{ls}{ls}embly, this holy book of God, called the Bible, newly imprinted, was brought before us by the printer thereof, Alexander Arbuthnot, (a man who has taken great pains and travails worthy to be remembered in this behalf) and de{ls}ired to be dedicate to your Highness with a convenient preface in our common Scots language, we could not omit nor neglect the occa{ls}ion offered to do the {ls}ame: Exhorting you mo{ls}t earne{ls}tly, Sir, to con{ls}ider to what place your God has called you, and to remember diligently how the {ls}etting forth and authori{ls}ing of this book chiefly pertains to your charge. Truth it is that the godly (men of the nation of England for the mo{ls}t part) bani{ls}hed fr{o/m} their country for the Go{ls}pel's cau{ls}e and convened at Geneva, who did faithfully and learnedly tran{ls}late this book out of the pure fountains of {y^e} Hebrew, Chaldaic & Greek tongues ought to have their own prai{ls}e for their labours be{ls}towed to the common weal of them that {ls}peak our language. Yet for a{ls}{WD}much as things once well begun crave & require great diligence to pre{ls}erve them from decay after that with great labors they have been brought to perfection, one great part of the honor of advancing this work pertains unto you: by whose authority it was of a certain time bypa{ls}t ordained that this holy book of God {ls}hould be {ls}et forth and imprinted of new within your own realm, to the end, that in every parish kirk there {ls}hould be at lea{ls}t one thereof kept, to be called the common book of the kirk, as a mo{ls}t meet ornament for {ls}uch a place and a perpetual regi{ls}ter of the word of GOD, the fountain of all true doctrine, to be made patent to all the people of every congregation as the only right rule to direct & govern them in matters of religi{o/n}, as al{ls}o to c{o/n}firm them in the {ii} truth received and to reform and redre{ls}s corruptions when{ls}oever thay may creep in. Certainly we have great occa{ls}ion both to glorify the goodness of God toward this country, and al{ls}o highly to extol and commend your Highness' mo{ls}t godly purpo{ls}e and enterpri{ls}e. O what difference may be {ls}een between these days of light when almo{ls}t in every private hou{ls}e the book of God's law is read and under{ls}tood in our vulgar language and that age of darkness when {ls}carcely in one whole city (without the cloi{ls}ters of monks and friars) could the book of God once be found, and that in a {ls}trange tongue of Latin not good but mixed with barbarity, u{ls}ed and read by few, and almo{ls}t under{ls}tood or exponed by none. And when the fal{ls}e-{WJ} named clergy of this realm abu{ls}ing the gentle nature of your Highness' mo{ls}t noble Grandfather of worthy memory made it a capital crime to be puni{ls}hed with the fire to have or read the New Te{ls}tament in the vulgar language, yea, and to make them to all men more odious as if it had been the dete{ls}table name of a pernicious {ls}ect, they were named New Te{ls}tamenters, Verily if we would weigh these matters aright, men {ls}hould neither so advance the time pa{ls}{ls}ed neither yet accu{ls}e this pre{ls}ent age, when this only {ls}piritual comfort of God's word ought ju{ls}tly to be preferred to all the vain worldly wealth of the years pa{ls}t before: but rather with mo{ls}t thankful hearts prai{ls}e and extol the infinite goodness of our God who has counted us worthy to whom he {ls}hould open free an heavenly trea{ls}ure, and rai{ls}ed us up the heroical {ls}pirits of princes, and namely of your grace, for the out{ls}etting of the {ls}ame. Wherefore {ls}eeing it has plea{ls}ed the goodness of our God to {ls}how {ls}uch favour and benevolence toward your Highness and this your co{u/n}try that now the truth of the Evangel is freely truly and {ls}incerely preached throughout all places under your {ls}ubjection, of very duty the next care and {ls}tudy ought to be how this divine work may more and more be furthered and performed, and al{ls}o maintained and continued that the purity of religion may long time remain amongst us, to the comfort of this pre{ls}ent age, and of all po{ls}terities to come. And {ls}o{WD}much the rather that the neglecting of this point in other places has been occa{ls}ion that mo{ls}t notable and happy beginnings has oft times not taken {ls}uch end and {ls}uccess as apparently might have followed if the like provision had been made for the continu{a/n}ce as pains & travails were taken for planting of true religion. But as the errors of others may make us circ{u/m}{ls}pect {ls}o {ls}hould the rare and {ls}ingular benefits of God lately {ls}hown to this realm encourage your Highness & your whole {ls}ubjects in hope that this notable & excellent work of the {ls}piritual edifying of {y^e} hou{ls}e of God {ls}hall take good {ls}ucce{ls}s and happy end in your hands, for {ls}ince the time it plea{ls}ed God to devolve the government of this realm and care of e{ls}tabli{ls}hing his kirk in your per{ls}on, being then but an infant of tender age, c{o/n}tinually {ls}uch {ls}ucce{ls}s has followed that not without just cau{ls}e the minds of many are erected in that expectation that God {ls}hall {ls}ome day u{ls}e you as an in{ls}trum{e/n}t to perform greater things for the welfare of his Kirk, than either we will pre{ls}ently utter, or by natural rea{ls}on can be made probable. We omit now to {ls}peak how miraculou{ls}ly the truth of God's word was fir{ls}t {ls}own in this country by feeble & weak in{ls}truments, or largely to dilate how mercifully things were brought to pa{ls}s without great inconvenience or cruel blood{ls}hed, and how the liberty of the Evangel has been so graciou{ls}ly granted to us without any extreme harm and damage, which other great & potent nations these many years with extreme troubles and fearful battles to the great lo{ls}s of their lives and goods, has long {ls}ought for, and yet never fully obtained; neither mind we at this pre{ls}ent to declare how wonderfully your grace has been pre{ls}erved even from your conception and birth to this day, how happily factions & controver{ls}ies concerning your royal e{ls}tate have been {ls}ettled and extingui{ls}hed, and {ls}hortly how many and notable works above all worldly expectation enterpri{ls}ed in your mo{ls}t happy name have been brought to lukkie [blessed] end and good effect, the favour & ble{ls}{ls}ing of God continually following them with better {ls}ucce{ls}{ls} than men durst either hope for or de{ls}ire. These things and many others more particular (the ample di{ls}course whereof we remit unto the hi{ls}tories) as they te{ls}tify unto us the bountiful goodness of God, both toward your maje{ls}ty and this realm, so ought they to {ls}tir up all hearts to thankfulness, and cheerfully en{WJ} courage you to pa{ls}s forward in this great work of reformation of religion and building the {ls}piritual temple of the Lord. The foundation whereof being already laid by publick univer{ls}al preaching of true doctrine throughout the whole realm, it re{ls}teth that the work may be pro{ls}ecute and the building brought to a good perfection by e{ls}tabli{ls}hing of di{ls}cipline and meet policy in the kirk of God, not taken out of the Ci{ls}terns of traditions of men, but of the pure fountains of God's holy word. Which thing wi{ls}ely begun in your Highness' name by your first Regent of godly memory, and ordained by act of parliament to be followed forth, has been dilig{e/n}tly pre{ls}{ls}ed for, fr{o/m} time to time, but e{ls}pecially now {ls}ince {y^e} acceptati{o/n} of {y^e} governm{e/n}t in your own per{ls}on: wh{e/n} as not only mo{ls}t lovingly & willingly ye did receive {y^e} book of {y^e} policy of the kirk offered by th{e/m} who were direct to your maje{ls}ty in name of {y^e} general kirk, but al{ls}o was very careful to find out m{e/n} meet for confer{e/n}ce up{o/n} the heads of {y^t} {ls}ame, lam{e/n}ting for the rarity of {ls}uch kind of per{ls}ons as were de{ls}ired to c{o/n}fer thereup{o/n}, & has appointed divers times & places where {ls}uch c{o/n}fer{e/n}ces in your name & at your c{o/m}mandment have been had, not without fruit & agreem{e/n}t in many {iii} heads to be pa{ls}{ls}ed in laws, but {w^t} expectation of greater things after to follow upon further conferrence, providing {ls}uch men be appointed thereto as your Highness wi{ls}hed, and we mo{ls}t earne{ls}tly crave whereinto we doubt not of your own good will as of before, for it {ls}hould be but travail lo{ls}t what{WJ} {ls}oever has been hitherto be{ls}towed therein, if the work {ls}hall not be followed forth, and brought to good {ls}how and end. Whereunto we exhort your grace mo{ls}t effectuou{ls}ly, for nothing can be found more proper & ganand [suitable] wherein a Chri{ls}tian prince of {ls}uch expectation as ye are, {ls}hould give a true proof of the good & {ls}ound affection which he bears to the advancement of God's glory, and of the Kingdom of Je{ls}us Chri{ls}t. Truth it is that Satan cea{ls}es not neither will cea{ls}e hereafter to object many and great impediments to the hindrance of this Godly enterpri{ls}e of bringing the {ls}piritual building of the hou{ls}e of God to perfection, which we always are in good hope (adjoining thereto our continual prayers) your good and heroic zeal {ls}hall overcome, albeit not without {ls}ome hard difficulties and weari{ls}ome lets, even of them who ought of duty to put their hands to this work. We read in this book how many & difficult impediments were offered to Zerubbabel and the Jews to {ls}top the building and repairing of the temple of Jeru{ls}alem. Sometime they were expre{ls}sly contramanded by the edicts of the great monarch, Sometimes by the threatening of their adver{ls}aries round about them. Sometime by dome{ls}tical enemies, hypocrites, crafty worldlings and oppre{ls}{ls}ors of their brethren, Yet against all these the Prophet oppones the commandment of God and promi{ls}e of his a{ls}{ls}i{ls}tance to perform the work. [In the books Ezra & Neh. Hag. 12.] The like or rather greater impediments be objected this day, against the {ls}piritual building of God's hou{ls}e. The Kings and great monarchies of the earth threaten wrek [vengeance] and de{ls}truction to all them that {ls}hall meddle with this work. The fal{ls}e named Kirkmen that pretend to be biggars [builders] up, demoli{ls}h it, and if they had power, would ca{ls}t down all to the ground, as their wicked con{ls}piracy concluded at Trent does {ls}pecify. In[to] what coldness the former zeal of many is now changed; yea, what carele{ls}sness of matters of Religion in all e{ls}tates it may more than evidently appear. The in{ls}atiable covetou{ls}[ness] of every{WJ} one to apply & appropriate to them{WJ} {ls}elves, the common rents of the kirk, does overtruly declare what con{ls}cience m{e/n} have, (and {ls}pecially the greate{ls}t, who{ls}e antece{ls}{ls}ours lived more honourably upon their own) to be manife{ls}t tran{ls}gre{ls}{ls}ors in{WJ} deed, of that Religion which in word to their {ls}hame boldly they profe{ls}{ls}. And last of all, the manife{ls}t corruption of our lives in all e{ls}tates the licentious and godless living of the multitude, the impunity of {ls}in and wickedness, the cruel and unatural murders heinous and dete{ls}table ince{ls}ts, adulteries, {ls}orceries, and many {ls}uchlike enormities, with the oppre{ls}{ls}ion and contempt of the poor almo{ls}t univer{ls}al, corruption of ju{ls}tice and judgment, and many other evils that overflow this commonwealth, bear evident witness how {ls}lender & {ls}mall {ls}ucce{ls}{ls} hitherto followed the reformation of religion within this realm; And do provoke the judgments of God, alas, over{ls}ore against us. And yet none of the{ls}e impediments, no not they all conjoined together {ls}hould di{ls}courage your Highness to go forward in this godly work once begun. But the hope of God's a{ls}{ls}i{ls}tance, (who is able to move heaven and earth when plea{ls}es him), the promi{ls}e of his pre{ls}ence and grace, and the happy end to follow, ought rather to inflame and rai{ls}e up your royal heart more con{ls}tantly to fight and overcome all the lets that Satan and his crafty {ls}uppo{ls}ts [supporters] can devi{ls}e. It appears well that GOD has cho{ls}en you as a {ls}ingular in{ls}trument to be as a pattern and en{ls}ample to all other princes of your time; in offering you {ls}o fair occa{ls}ions to put the Kirk of God to full liberty, to purge it from corruption, to e{ls}tabli{ls}h {ls}uch decent and comely policy within the {ls}ame as his word craves, and to provide for the long [en]during and perpetuity thereof, {ls}eeing it has plea{ls}ed him to make your grace from your tender youthhood to be brought up in the true knowledge and fear of his name: to make the pure doctrine of the Go{ls}pel in perfect unity without any {ls}chi{ls}m or controver{ls}y to be plainly & peaceably publi{ls}hed through all the bounds of your dominion. And finally to make this policy of the Kirk to be humbly and earne{ls}tly craved to be e{ls}tabli{ls}hed by your Highness by the mo{ls}t part of the true {ls}ubjects of your realm. Such preclare [clear] occa{ls}ions ought not to be omitted; remembering how all Kings are commanded to ki{ls}s and embrace the {ls}on of God and to be nouri{ls}hers of his Kirk. [P{ls}alm 2.] Therefore against all impediments, propone & oppone the earne{ls}t zeal of David who could take no re{ls}t nor {ls}leep unto his eyes until he had found the place where the Lord {ls}hould have his re{ls}ting place amongst his people. [P{ls}alm 133 [132].] Call for the wi{ls}dom of Solomon to endue your grace with a principal Spirit a{ls}{WD}well as in the outward policy, in advancing the {ls}piritual policy of his Kirk. [1. King. 3.] Imitate the fervent faith of Jeho{ls}haphat, putting his whole tru{ls}t in the Lord, and believing his Prophets [2. Chro. 20.]; The diligence of Jehoa{ls}h in reparing the hou{ls}e of the Lord [2. King. 12.]; follow the godly Hezekiah in rooting out all monuments of Idolatry, & depending firmly upon the Lord [2. Chro. 29.]; The faithful young Jo{ls}iah, in making the book of the Law of God long time down smored [smothered, suppressed], and kept in {ls}ilence: yea utterly tint [lost] and forgotten, to be publicly read, accepted by the people, and recommended to the po{ls}terity. [2. Chro. 34.] To {ls}uch diligence as this did the Prophets Haggai, Zechariah & Malachi, exhort the princes of the Jews. And {ls}hortly {ls}uch godly enterpri{ls}es as they have made the great Con{ls}tantine, the gentle Gratian, the godly Theodo{ls}ius, and {ls}uch others to be worthy {iv} of Eternal memory & c{o/m}mendati{o/n}. Neither is it enough to begin well, as did {ls}ome kings of Judah & afterward fainted in their proceedings: but there chiefly is required con{ls}tancy & per{ls}everance, {w^t}{WJ} out {ls}hrinking, till th{i/n}gs be brought to a good order, & {ls}table e{ls}tate. Neither ought your Grace {o/n}ly look how much is done, but rather how much re{ls}ts unperformed, ever th{i/n}k{i/n}g {y^t} great dilig{e/n}ce is required to go forward, & great att{e/n}dance to be given {y^t} th{i/n}gs done may abide & c{o/n}tinually increa{ls}e, till they come to due perfecti{o/n}. This is a matter worthy of your royal heart, a purpo{ls}e proper for the exerci{ls}e of the vivacity of your divine & high ingeny. This is a mo{ls}t fair field to run in & exercise the cour{ls}e of your youth. And a thing mo{ls}t meet to make known what ought to be {y^t} principal {ls}tudy of a Chri{ls}tian prince, declar{i/n}g how neither we your natural {ls}ubjects, neither {y^e} godly & faithful of foreign nati{o/n}s have in vain {ls}o long looked for {ls}ome notable & excellent work to proceed fr{o/m} your Maje{ls}ty's authority for promoting of God's glory, & e{ls}tabli{ls}hing of his true religi{o/n}. The which (no doubt) {ls}hall{WD}be an exceeding honour and perpetual renown, that {ls}hall follow your Highness. All other glory at la{ls}t {ls}hall decay, and all c{o/m}mendation that re{ls}ults of other princely acts either is not of long endurance, or has c{o/m}monly mixed therewith, {ls}uch things as be al{ls}o worthy of blame, but the honour of this act {ls}hall endure for ever, and {ls}hall{WD}be fully approved by him who{ls}e judgment can no ways be but equal and right, who is the Eternal Lord of lords, & King of kings, whom with mo{ls}t humble heart and in{ls}tant prayer we be{ls}eech to ble{ls}s your Maje{ls}ty with continual and daily increa{ls}e of his abundant ble{ls}{ls}ings, a{ls}{WD}well {ls}piritual as temporal, and to maintain in wealthy pro{ls}perity your Princely e{ls}tate to the prai{ls}e and glory of his holy name; your a{ls}{ls}ured {ls}alvation, the comfort & quietness of this country, the overthrow of the power of Satan, the advancement of the kingdom of

Je{ls}us Chri{ls}t.    From Edinburgh in our General

A{ls}{ls}embly the tenth day of

July, 1579.

(∴)