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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.

I.-OLD TESTAMENT.

1. NAMES OF COMMENTATORS.

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-Bochart, Samuel (died 1667).

B-Böttcher, Dr. J. F. (died 1863).
Ca-Caspari, Dr. C. P.

Ca-Cheyne, Rev. T. K.

C.-Clark. Rev. Samuel (died 1875).

Da.-Davidson, Rev. Dr. A. B.

De.-Delitzsch, Dr. Franz.

De W.-De Wette, Dr. W. M. L. (died 1849).

Di.-Dillmann, Dr. August.

| Ev.-Ewald, Dr. Heinrich (died 1875).

FL-Fleischer, Dr. H. L. (quoted from Delitzsch).
Ge-Gesenius, Dr. W. (died 1842).

Gei.-Geiger, Dr. Abraham (died 1875).

Gi-Ginsburg. Rev. Dr. C. D.

Gr.-Grätz, Dr. H.

Ha-Havernick, Dr. H. A. C. (died 1845).

He-Hengstenberg, Dr. E. W. (died 1871).
Her.-Herzfeld, Dr. L.

Hi.-Hitzig, Dr. F. (died 1875).

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Kö.-Köhler, Dr. August.
Ku.-Kurtz, Dr. J. H.
Kue.-Kuenen, Dr. A.
La.-Lagarde, Dr. Paul de.

Lo.-Lowth, Right Rev. Dr. R. (died 1787).
Loe.-Loewenstein, L. H.

Lu-Luzzatto, Samuel David (died 1865).

Me.-Merx, Dr. Adalbert.

Mich.-Michaelis, Dr. J. D. (died 1791).
Mo.-Movers, Dr. F. E. (died 1856).
Noeg. Naegelsbach, Dr. C. W. E.
No.-Nöldeke, Dr. Theodor.

Oe.

Oeh.-Oehler, Dr. G. F. (died 1872).
Ol.-Olshausen, Dr. Justus.

PS.-Payne Smith, Very Rev. Dr. R.
Pe. Perowne, Rev. Dr. J. J. S.
Pu.-Pusey, Rev. Dr. E. B.

Ra-Rashi, Jewish commentator (died 1105).

Rei.-Reinke, Dr. Laur.

Rie.-Riehm, Dr. Eduard.

Rö.-Rödiger, Dr. Emil (died 1874).

Roo.-Roorda, Dr. T.

Sch.-Schultz, Dr. F. W.

Schl.-Schlottmann, Dr. Const.

Schr.-Schrader, Dr. Eberhard.

Schrö.-Schröder, Dr. N. W.

Schu.

Schult-Schultens, Dr. Albert (died 1750).

Si.-Simson, Dr. August.

St.-Stanley, Very Rev. Dr. A. P.

Th.-Thenius, Dr. Otto.

Thr.-Thrupp, Rev. J. F. (died 1867).
Tu.-Tuch, Dr. Friedrich (died 1867).
Vaih.-Vaihinger, Dr. J. G.
Vo.-Volck, Dr. Wilhelm.
We.-Wellhausen, Dr. Julius.

W.-Winsche, Dr. August.
Zö.-Zöckler, Dr. Otto.

In addition to the above, a certain number of critics (principally those cited but rarely) are referred to under their full surnames, for example, Baur, Gust, Clarke, Rev. Dr. A. (died 1832), Dathe, Dr. J. A. (died 1791), Graf, K. H. (died 1869), Hunt, Rev_Dr. T. (died 1774), Kay, Rev. Dr. W., Secker, Most Rev. Dr. T. died 1768), Weir, Rev. Dr., Wright, W. A. The names of authorities are usually cited in chronological order. When an alteration is introduced by the word 'Or,' it implies that the rendering of Authorized Version appears defensible, though the alternative rendering has been adopted by the scholars mentioned. Alt. signifies that the rendering in question is given as an alternative by the authority cited. In other respects the method of reference will be obvious: it need only be added that where the correction does not extend beyond a single word, it has not been thought worth while to repeat the referencemark in the text.

2. NAMES OF TRANSLATORS, ETC.

Aq.-Aquila, a Jewish proselyte of Sinope in Pontus;
his work, which is in Greek and painfully lite-
ral, is only extant in the fragments of Origen's
Hexapla. Date, about middle of second century
A.D.
Jer.-St. Jerome's Latin translation of the Psalms,
made directly from the Hebrew. The Vulgate
version of the Psalms is St. Jerome's revision
of the Old Latin Psalter, which was based upon
the Septuagint.
Joa-Josephus, Jewish historian (died A.D. 95).
Oak-The Chaldee (rather, West Aramaic) Targum
or translation of the Pentateuch, ascribed to
Onkelos. Thrown into its present form about
end of third century A.D. on the basis of an
ancient Palestinian Targum, by learned men at
Babylon. Very literal, except in poetical pas-

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Sam.-The Hebrew Pentateuch as read by the Sama ritans. In character, its text agrees with that used by the Septuagint.

Sept.-The Septuagint. An aggregate of Greek trans-
lations made in Egypt by Hellenistic Jews. The
oldest and best is that of the Pentateuch (third
century B.C.); the latest, those of the Hagio-
grapha (mostly finished before 130 B.C.). More
valuable for criticism of the text than for inter-
pretation.

Symm.-Symmachus, probably a Hellenistic Jew. Date,
close of second century A.D. More elegant in
style than Aquila; fragmentary.
Targ-Various Targums, or Chaldee versions, par-
ticularly that of the books of Joshua, Judges,
Samuel, Kings, and the prophets, ascribed to
Jonathan ben Uzziel. Thrown into its present
form in Babylon-probably some time after the
Targum of the Pentateuch (see Onk."). In style,
paraphrastic. The Targums of the other books are
of late and uncertain date, and of inferior value.
Targ. Jerus.-The Jerusalem Targum of the Penta-
teuch. Extant in two recensions; the one entire,
and sometimes called pseudo-Jonathan; the other
fragmentary. Second half of seventh century
A.D.

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Theod.-Theodotion, a Jewish proselyte of Ephesus. the text. These marginal corrections are found in

His Greek version of Daniel was (according to a common opinion) substituted by the Christians for that given by the Septuagint, as being more accurate. The rest of his translation (which seems to have been based on the Septuagint) is only extant in the fragments of Origen's Hexapla. Date, shortly after Aquila. Vulg.-The Vulgate, or Latin translation of the Bible by St. Jerome. The Old Testament was done in the main from the Hebrew; date of its completion, 405 A.D.

NOTE 1. Notes of the form Vulg. (MSS.), Sept. cod. 41.), mean that the reading or rendering is not found in the ordinary texts of the Vulgate or Septuagint, but is supported by particular MSS., or by the MS. cited. The abbreviation MSS. is sometimes used to indicate a small number of MSS.

2. (On notes of the form Heb. marg.) There is a certain number of places in the Old Testament in which Jewish tradition itself has introduced what may be termed an "authorised correction" of the text, noting the alteration in the margin, and directing the reader to substitute it for what he finds in

all MSS. and Hebrew Bibles. They are by no means always critically preferable; sometimes they merely attempt to obviate an unusual, but quite defensible, grammatical form.

3. When (I.) is appended to a Various Reading, it means that the proposed correction differs from the ordinary reading only in the form of one or two letters, which may have been mistaken by the scribe. On the contrary, pt.) or (pts.) signifies that the correction does not differ in the letters, but only in one or more of the vowel-points attached to them. cited from De Rossi's Variae Lectiones Veteris Testa4. The readings of the Hebrew MSS. are as a rule menti (Parma, 1784-1788), and his Scholia Critica (Parma, 1798); those of the St. Petersburg MSS., which are among the oldest and most valuable, from the statements of Drs. Neubauer and Chwolson.

5. The Septuagint is cited, except where stated otherwise, from Tischendorf's edition, the Peshito from that of Dr. Lee, the Targums from Walton, Lagarde, and Wilkins, the Vulgate partly from Heyse's edition of the Codex Amiatinus, partly from the Clementine text, and 4q. Symm. Theod, from Dr. Field's Oxford edition of the Hexapla.

II-NEW TESTAMENT.

AUTHORITIES CITED FOR VARIOUS RENDERINGS AND READINGS.

1. NAMES OF MODERN COMMENTATORS.

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Calvin, John (died 1564).

Bu.-Buttmann, Dr. Alexander.

Je.-Jelf, Rev. W. E. (died 1875.)
Jo.-Jowett, Rev. B.

Ke.-Kern, Dr. F. H.

Lan.-Lange, Dr. J. P.

Li-Lightfoot, Right Rev. Dr. J. B.

Lü.-Lünemann, Dr. G.

Luther, Martin (died 1546).

Mack, Dr. Martin.

Mel.-McClellan, Rev. J. B.

Me.-Meyer, Dr. H. A. W. (died 1873).

Co.-Conybeare, Rev. W. J. (died 1875), and Howson, Mou.-Moulton, Rev. Dr. W. F.

Very Rev. Dr. J. S.

Da.-Davidson, Rev. Dr. Samuel.

Del.-Delitzsch, Dr. Franz.

De W.-De Wette, Dr. W. M. L. (died 1849).

Dü.-Düsterdieck, Dr. Friedrich.

Eb.-Ebrard, Dr. J. H. A.

El. or Ell.-Ellicott, Right Rev. Dr. C. J.

Erasmus, Desiderius (died 1536).

Eu.-Ewald, Dr. Heinrich (died 1875).

Farrar, Rev. Dr. F. W.

Fri.-Fritzsche, Dr. C. F. A.

Grimm, Dr. C. L. W.

Ha.-Harless, Dr. J. C. A. von.

Heinrich, Dr. J. H.

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Ol. or Ols.-Olshausen, Dr. Hermann (died 1839). Renan, M. Ernest.

Reuss, Dr. E.

Rü.-Rückert, Dr. L. J. (died 1871).

St.-Stier, Dr. Rudolph (died 1862).
Sta.-Stanley, Very Rev. Dr. A. P.

Tho.-Tholuck, Dr. August (died 1877).

Trench, Most Rev. Dr. R. C.

Va.-Vaughan, Very Rev. Dr. C. J.

VH.-Van Hengel, Dr. W. A. (died 1870.)

W.-Westcott, Rev. Dr. B. F.

Wetstein, Dr. J. J. (died 1754).

Wi.-Winer, Dr. G. B. (died 1858).

Wie.-Wiesinger, Dr. A.

Wo.-Wordsworth, Right Rev. Dr. Chr. Zü.-Züllig, Dr. F. J.

Hu.-Huther, Dr. J. E.

2. NAMES OF ANCIENT COMMENTATORS OCCASIONALLY QUOTED.
Aug.-Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 395-430.
Bas.-Basil, Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, 370-379.
Chrys.-Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople, 397

-407.

Clem. Alex.-Clement of Alexandria, flourished 194.
Cupr.-Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, 248-255.
Eus.-Eusebius, Bishop of Cæsarea, 315-338.
Hil.-Hilary, Bishop of Poictiers, 350-367.
Hipp.-Hippolytus, Bishop of Portus, 220.

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Iren.-Irenæus, Bishop of Lyons, 178.
Jer.-Jerome, flourished 378-420.
Orig.-Origen (died 254).

Origint-The same as represented by an
Latin translation.

Tert.-Tertullian, flourished 200-220.

ancient

Theod. Mops.-Theodore, Bishop of Mopsuestia, 399-428. Theod. (in 1 Timothy-Titus)-Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus (died 457).

3. VERSIONS.

Latin. OL.-The Old Latin Translation, made in the 2nd century A.D.. and existing in various forms; the oldest MSS. belong to the 4th and 5th centuries. Vulg.-The Old Latin as revised by Jerome with the help of Greek MSS., A.D. 383-5; the oldest MSS. are of the 6th century.

Syriac. Cur.-The Curetonian Syriac. Probably an old form of the Syriac Version made in the 2nd century; considerable fragments exist in a MS. of the 5th century.

Syriac.-(continued).

Pesh.-The Peshito Syriac. Apparently a revised form of the above; its oldest MS. is of the 6th century.

Egyptian. Memph.-The Memphitic Version. In the dialect of Lower Egypt; made not later than the 3rd century.

Theb.-The Thebaic Version. In the dialect of Upper Egypt; about the same date as the Memphitic; some MSS. as early as the 4th century.

ABBREVIATIONS, ETC.

4. MANUSCRIPTS.

NOTE.-In the citation of the MSS., and the several handwritings in them, Tischendorf's notation has been followed. The citations of MSS. have been taken from the editions of Tischendorf, Tregelles, and Alford; usually the first: the accounts of the MSS, from Tischendorf and Scrivener.

Nie. Aleph, first letter of Hebrew alphabet). Codex Sinaiticus, now at St. Petersburg; discovered by Tischendorf in 1859 in the Convent of St. Catherine on Mount Sinai. Contains a large part of the Septuagint and the whole New Testament. Written, in Tischendorf's judgment, about the middle of the 4th century A.D., probably at Alexandria. Corrected in some places by later hands, No, of the 4th century, , about the 6th century, or , early in the 7th century, of the 7th century. The first hand is denoted by N or N*. (See note below). A Codex Alexandrinus, in the British Museum; presented to Charles I. in 1628 by Cyril Lucar, Patriarch first of Alexandria, then of Constantinople. Contains the Septuagint almost complete, the whole New Testament, except St. Matthew i-xxv. 6, and St. John vi. 50-viii. 52. Date (first hand denoted by A or A*) middle of the 5th century or earlier, corrected in a few places by later hands (A2 and A3); corrections which may probably have been made by the original scribe himself, are denoted by A**. May have been written at Alexandria, but "it exhibits, especially in the Gospels, a text more nearly approaching that found in later copies than is found in most of its high antiquity."-Scrivener. B Codex Vaticanus, in the Vatican Library at Rome. Contains nearly all the Septuagint and all the New Testament except Hebrews ix. 14 to end, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Revelation; these are found in it indeed, but supplied by a late hand, probably of the 15th century. First hand (B or B*) of the 4th century, probably Alexandrine; Tischendorf thinks that the copyist who wrote out this MS. was one of the two scribes who produced the original Sinaitic MS. of the New Testament. Corrected in some places by later hands B2 of the 4th or 5th century, B3 of the 10th or 11th century. B (Revelation). Also in the Vatican. Contains Revelation. About 800 A.D.

E

E

E

F

G

H

H

H

K

K

L

L

C Codex Ephraemi Syri Rescriptus. So called because certain tracts by St. Ephraem the Syrian had been copied upon it above the old writing. Now in the National Library at Paris. Mutilated, containing about half the New Testament, no single book being entire. First hand (C or C) of the 5th century, Alexandrine, or at least Z Egyptian, Tischendorf thinks; later hands, C of the 6th century, apparently Syrian or Egyptian, C of 9th century, Constantinopolitan. D (Gospels and Acts). Codex Bezæ. In the University Library at Cambridge; presented to the University in 1581 by Theodore Beza. Contains the Gospels and Acts in Greek and Latin, except a few chapters. The first hand (D or D*) of the 6th century. Some of the missing portions are supplied, "perhaps from the original leaves," by a hand of about the 10th century (DPP). Has many words and some passages not found in other MSS.

D (Epistles). Codex Claromontanus. In the National Library at Paris. Contains the Epistles of St. Paul in Greek and Latin. Written (D or D) in the 6th century in North Africa by a

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A

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Greek of Alexandria, Tischendorf thinks; meant for the use of a Latin Church. Corrected by later hands, both Greek, Db of the 7th century, De early in the 9th.

(Gospels). Codex Basileensis, in the Public Library at Basle, apparently brought thither from Constantinople. Contains the Gospels, except a few verses of St. Luke. 8th century.

(Acts). Codex Laudianus, now at Oxford; presented to the University by Archbishop Laud in 1636. Contains the Acts in Greek and Latin, except about two chapters. Date, about 600 A.D. Apparently written in Sardinia, for use in a Latin church. (Epistles).

Codex Sangermanensis, now at St. Petersburg. An inexact copy of D Claromontanus. 9th century.

(Epistles). Codex Augiensis; in the Library of Trinity College, Cambridge. Contains the Pauline Epistles, in Greek and Latin, except a few passages; the Greek text of the Epistle to the Hebrews is also missing. 9th century. (Epistles). Codex Boernerianus; in the Royal Library at Dresden. Contains the Pauline Epistles, except the Hebrews, with some omissions. It has much resemblance to Codex Augiensis, F., and Scrivener believes that both were copied from one MS. some centuries older than either. Date, late in the 9th century.

(Gospels). Codex Andr. Seidelii, now at Hamburg. Contains the Gospels, with many omissions. 9th or 10th century,

(Acts). Codex Mutinensis; at Modena. Contains part of the Acts. 9th century.

(Epistles). Codex Coislinianus Parisiensis. Part now at Paris, part at St. Petersburg. Contains fragments of five of the Pauline Epistles. 6th century.

(Gospels).

Codex Cyprius Parisiensis. In the National Library at Paris. Contains the Gospels. 9th century.

(Epistles). Codex Mosquensis. At Moscow. Contains the Epistles, except about 12 chapters. 9th century.

(Gospels). Codex Parisiensis Regius. In the National Library at Paris. Contains the Gospels, except a few passages. 8th century. Has "a strong resemblance to Codex B; abounds in what are termed Alexandrian forms beyond any other copy of its date."-Scrivener. (Acts and Epistles). Codex Angelicus Romanus, belonging to the Augustinian monks at Rome. Contains Acts from viii. 10, and Epistles, except a few verses. Of 9th century.

Codex Palimpsestus Dublinensis. In Library of Trinity College, Dublin. Passages of Chrysostom and Epiphanius written over the old writing, in a hand of the 10th century or later. Contains part of St. Matthew. 6th century.

(i.e. Gamma). Part at Oxford, part at St. Petersburg. Contains the Gospels nearly entire. 9th century.

(i.e. Delta) Codex Sangallensis. In the Monastery of St. Gall in N.E. Switzerland. Contains the Gospels, except part of St. John. "Written by Latin (most probably by Irish) monks in the west of Europe during the 9th century."-Scrivener. (i.e. Xi). Codex Zacynthius. In the Library of the British and Foreign Bible Society, London. Contains considerable portions of St. Luke. Like Z, a palimpsest, the original hand being probably of the 8th century.

References of the forms *, B*, C*, &c., are used to denote the original reading of the MSS. N, B, C, &c., in cases where a later hand has introduced an alteration. In passages which have not been touched by the later hands, the first hand is denoted by N, B, C, &c., simply.

Bear Carr, and the like, are sometimes used to denote one or more of the correctors, or later hands, of the MS. in question, where it has not been thought worth while to distinguish these hands from one another.

Cei (ie. C, ut videtur) and the like, denote that the editor from whom the citation is taken is not quite sure that he has rightly read the passage in question in the particular MS.

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ABBREVIATIONS, ETC.

5. CRITICAL EDITIONS OF THE TEXT.

Al-Alford, Very Rev. Dr. H. (died 1870). The Greek Edd.
Testament, with a critically revised text, and a
critical and exegetical commentary. 3rd-5th edi-
tion, 4 vols., London, 1865, &c.
El.-Ellicott, Right Rev. Dr. C. J. Minor Epistles of

St. Paul (Galatians-Philemon). London, 1854, &c.
La.-Lachmann, Dr. C. (died 1851). The New Testa-
ment in Greek and Latin, according to the re-
cension of C. Lachmann. 2 vols., Berlin, 1842-
1850.
Li.-Lightfoot, Right Rev. Dr. J. B. Select Epistles of
St. Paul (Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, Phi-
lemon). London, 1865, &c.
Mel.-McClellan, Rev. J. B. The New Testament, &c.,
vol. 1. The Four Gospels. London, 1875.
Ser. Scrivener, Rev. Dr. F. H. A plain introduction
to the criticism of the New Testament. Cam-
bridge, 1874, 2d edition.
Ti.-Tischendorf, Dr. Const. von (died 1874). Greek
New Testament, 8th critical edition. Leipzig,
1865-1872.

Tr.-Tregelles, Dr. S. P. (died 1875). The Greek New
Testament edited from ancient authorities, with
the Latin version of Jerome from the Codex
Amiatinus. London, 1857-1871.
We.-Weiss, Dr. B. The Gospel of St. Mark. Berlin,
1872. The Gospel of St. Matthew, Halle, 1876.
Also in Meyer's Commentary, St. Mark and
St. Luke, 6th edition.
WH.-Westcott, Rev. Dr. B. F., and Hort, Rev. Dr.
F. J. A. The New Testament in the Original
Greek. (Not published.)
Edd.-This abbreviation

(St. Matthew, St. Mark,
St. Luke) La. Ti. Tr. Mcl. We. WH.
(St. John) La. Ti. Tr. Mcl. WH.
(Acts-2 Corinthians) La. Ti. Tr. WH.

(Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon)
La. Ti. Tr. El. Li. WH.

Ephesians, 1 Thessalonians-Titus) La. Ti. Tr.
El. WH.

(Hebrews-Revelation) La. Ti. Tr. WH.
NOTE.-There are many passages in which a critical
editor does not satisfy himself that one of two rival
readings is confidently to be preferred to the other,
the evidence being divided. In such cases a figure
(1, 2) has been appended to the name of the editor in
question; the former showing that the reading is judg-
ed on the whole the more probably correct by the editor,
the latter that it is judged the less probable by him. It
should be said, however, that the preference thus in-
dicated is in some cases more decided than in others.

The edition of the Gospels by Dr. Westcott and Dr. Hort contains a special symbol ([[]]), to mark particular passages which these editors believe not to have formed part of the original text of the Gos pels, but to be early additions, usually of Western origin, and thus to have been founded in some cases upon a genuine tradition. This symbol has been reproduced here. It may be well to give an example of the notation adopted. The note upon St. Luke ix. 54 ("even as Elias did") runs thus: "So A C D, 4. La. Tr2. [[WH.]]; omit & B, Ti. Tr" This implies that the words, "even as Elias did," are found in the MSS. A CD; not found in &B; that they are accepted as part of the Gospel by Lachmann; rejected by Tischendorf; that Tregelles, with some hesitation, rejects them from the text; Alford, with some hesitation, accepts them; that Westcott and Hort believe them not to have been found in the original Gospel of St. Luke, but to have been added, probably as early as the 2nd century.

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The names of the scholars who support the Authorised Version in a passage are introduced by the word So at the beginning of the note upon the passage. Omit,' followed by the name of a critic, denotes that the editor in question judges that the words referred to did not form part of the original text of the Bible. These words, 'So,' Omit,' and in general explanatory words, are printed in italics; those which are given as substitutes or alternatives for something in the text, are printed in Roman type.

Renderings are indicated by consecutive figures throughout a chapter as reference-marks. Readings are specified by the early letters of the Greek alphabet (By 85). These reference-marks are so arranged that they may be worked forward or backwards, i.e., from 'the text to the footnotes, or from the footnotes to the text.

TO THE MOST HIGH AND MIGHTY PRINCE

JAMES,

BY THE GRACE OF GOD,

KING OF GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE, AND IRELAND,

DEFENDER OF THE FAITH, &c.

The Translators of the Bible wish Grace, Mercy, and Peace, through JESUS CHRIST our Lord.

GREAT and manifold were the blessings, most dread Sovereign, which Almighty God, the Father of all mercies, bestowed upon us the people of England, when first he sent Your Majesty's Royal Person to rule and reign over us. For whereas it was the expectation of many, who wished not well unto our Sion, that upon the setting of that bright Occidental Star, Queen Elizabeth of most happy memory, some thick and palpable clouds of darkness would so have overshadowed this Land, that men should have been in doubt which way they were to walk; and that it should hardly be known, who was to direct the unsettled State; the appearance of Your Majesty, as of the Sun 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 Highness, and Your hopeful Seed, by an undoubted Title. and this also accompanied with peace and tranquillity at home and abroad.

But among all our joys, there was no one that more filled our hearts, than the blessed continuance of the preaching of God's sacred Word among us; which is that inestimable treasure, which excelleth all the riches of the earth; because the fruit thereof extendeth itself, not only to the time spent in this transitory world, but directeth and disposeth mer unto that eternal happiness 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 Predecessor of Your Highness did leave it: nay, to go forward with the confidence and resolution of a Man in maintaining the truth of Christ, and propagating it far and near, is that which hath so bound and firmly knit the hearts of all Your Majesty's loyal and religious people unto You, that Your very name is precious among them: their eye doth behold You with comfort, and they bless You in their hearts, as that sanctified Person, who, under God, is the immediate Author of their true happiness. And this their contentment doth not diminish or decay, but every day increaseth and taketh strength, when they observe, that the zeal of Your Majesty toward the house of God doth not slack or go backward, but is more and more kindled, manifesting itself abroad in the farthest parts of Christendom, by writing in defence of the Truth, (which hath given such a blow unto that man of sin, as will not be healed,) and every day at home, by religious and learned discourse, by frequenting the house of God, by hearing the Word preached, by cherishing the Teachers thereof, by caring for the Church, as a most tender and loving nursing Father.

There are infinite arguments of this right Christian and religious affection in Your Majesty ; but none is more forcible to declare it to others than the vehement and perpetuated desire of the accomplishing and publishing of this work, which now with all humility we present unto Your Majesty. For when Your Highness had once out of deep judgment apprehended how convenient it was, that out of the Original Sacred Tongues, together with comparing of the labours, both in our own, and other foreign 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 Majesty did never desist to urge and to excite those to whom it was commended, that the work might be hastened, and that the business might be expedited in so decent a manner, as a matter of such importance might justly require.

And now at last, by the mercy of God, and the continuance of our labours, it being brought unto such a conclusion. as that we have great hopes that the Church of England shall reap good fruit thereby; we hold it our duty to offer it wo Your Majesty, not only as to our King and Sovereign, but as to the principal Mover and Author of the work: humbly craving of Your most Sacred Majesty, that since things of this quality have ever been subject to the censures of illmeaning and discontented persons, it may receive approbation and patronage from so learned and judicious a Prince Your Highness is, whose allowance and acceptance of our labours shall more honour and encourage us, than 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 malign us, because we are poor instruments to make God's holy Truth to be yet more and more known unto the people, whom they desire still to keep in ignorance and darkness; or if, on the other side, we shall be maligned by selfconceited Brethren, who run their own ways, and give liking unto nothing, but what is framed by themselves, and hammered on their anvil; we may rest secure, supported within by the truth and innocency of a good conscience, having walked the ways of simplicity and integrity, as before the Lord; and sustained without by the powerful protection of Your Majesty's grace and favour, which will ever give countenance to honest and Christian endeavours against bitter censures and uncharitable imputations.

The Lord of heaven and earth bless Your Majesty with many and happy days, that, as his heavenly hand hath enriched Your Highness with many singular and extraordinary graces, so You may be the wonder of the world in this latter age for happiness and true felicity, to the honour of that great GOD, and the good of his Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord and only Saviour.

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