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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
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 judgement, 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 to 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 ill-meaning and
discontented persons, it may receive approbation and patronage from so learned and judicious a
Prince as 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 self-conceited 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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KJV Bible