Master Bezaes sermons upon the three chapters of the canticle of canticlesMaster Bezaes sermons vpon the three chapters of the canticle of canticles

I WAS REQUESTED, RIGHT Honourable, by many of my friends, to employ the time of this last vacation of mine from my public readings in the University, in the translating of Master Bezaes Sermons upon the Canticle of Canticles, which I had a little before received from the Frankfurt Mart in French, into our vulgar and Mother tongue. The desire I had of advancing and promoting the glory of God, which is then especially increased and furthered, when his word, the mirror of his will, is no longer a sealed book unto the simple and ignorant, but a volume laid open in clear and capital letters, that he that runneth may read it: enforced me principally to undertake upon my present leisure, this more painful, then happily thankful work of translating.

I WAS REQVESTED, RIGHT HOnorable, by manie of my friends, to emploie the time of this last vacation of mine from my publique readinges in the Vniuersitie, in the translating of Master Bezaes Sermons vpon the Canticle of Canticles, which I had a little before receaued from the Francfurt Mart in French, into our vulgare and Mother tongue. The desire I had of aduancing and promoting the glorie of God, which is then especially encreased and farthered, when his word, the mirrour of his wil, is no longer a sealed booke vnto the simple and ignorant, but a volume laid open in clear and capital letters, that he that runneth may read it: enforced mee principally to vndertake vpon my present leasure, this more painful, then happilie thankful work of translating.

Wherein, for the utility and profit of many, as well the learned as the unlettered who have not the understanding of the French tongue, I did the more willingly employ both my leisure and my pain, because I would have somewhat to present your Lordship withal for a token and monument of my thankful duty, and dutiful thankfulness, upon so many, so memorable, so utterly undeserved benefits of your Honour, not so much collated, as congested, & heaped from time to time upon me. For extend I the cogitation of my mind to the farthest part of my infancy and childhood, and draw it forth as in a continual and even thread unto this present time, what part of my age hath not been honoured with the patronage of your Lordships favour and goodwill towards me? The ground and foundation of my first studies laid in Winchester by your honours only means, in obtaining her highness letters for my preferment unto that school; the rearing of the farther frame of them in this College, wherein placed by your Lordships favour, I yet continue; my time spent to my great desire & contentment in the parts beyond the Seas by your Honours intercession; my room and degree I do now enjoy in the University being one of her Majesties public professors, purchased by your Lordships favourable mediation, do every of them in particular deserve a volume of acknowledgements