When as the last year (most courteous Herman) I perused the writings of the exceeding godly & notable learned man Peter Martyr my schoolmaster, and had gathered together out of his library every small pamphlet noted with his own hand, I lighted by chance upon certain papers cast a side ⟨image 3⟩and laid apart, wherein were divers holy prayers of his own hand writing. And when I had perused these diligently over, I thought it meet to put them forth in print: for although I certainly knew he did not make them to that intent, yet nevertheless there be divers causes which move me to go on with my former determination. The first is, that when the counsel of Trent began, there rose up both grievous & deadly war in Germany for Religion, at which time Martyr finished these prayers which he openly used in the Schools ⟨image 3⟩at Strasbourg at the end of his lectures, and are now very convenient to be set forth in these days, wherein it behoveth us to make fervent prayers unto almighty God, that the like to the Counsel of Trent being now ended be not kindled again. Moreover the prayers contained in this small book, are both plain, and do very little disagree from the words of the Psalms, which I account to be highly esteemed amongst prayers. For divers arguments of many Psalms are briefly and evidently expounded in these prayers, and a nun ber ⟨image 4⟩of dark and hard places made plain with a notable Paraphrase. Wherefore I doubt not but that such as be desirous to read this short little book, shall reap far greater commodity thereby then many would suppose. Now have I dedicated this small book unto thee (my deer Herman) that thou mayst have both our Martyrs token of remembrance and mine also. For seeing that thou diddest honour and reverence Doctor Martyr (so long as he lived) like a father: and moreover lovedst me so exceedingly hitherto, as I may rightfully ⟨image 4⟩place thee in the number of my deerest friends: I verily think that thou wilt take this book in right good worth, (although it be of a very small volume) which I send unto thee being written in both our names. For so oft as you shall look in this book (which of your godly disposition you vvil do very oft) so many times shall you call to mind the remembrance of your old friends, not altogether to thee unpleasant (as I hope.)
WHen as the last yere (most curteous Herman) I pervsed the writings of the exceeding godly & notable learned man Peter Martir my scholemaster, and had gathered togither out of his librarie euery small pamphelet noted wyth his owne hand, I lighted by chaunce vppon certaine papers cast a side ⟨image 3⟩and layde apart, wherein were diuers holy praiers of his owne hand writing. And when I had pervsed these diligently ouer, I thought it meete to put them forth in print: for although I certainlye knewe hee did not make them to that intent, yet neuerthelesse there bee dyuers causes which moue me to go on vvith my former determination. The first is, that whē the counsaile of Trent began, there rose vp both grieuous & deadly warre in Germanie for Religion, at which tyme Martir finished these praiers which he openly vsed in the Schooles ⟨image 3⟩at Strasborow at the end of his lectures, and are now very conuenient to be set forth in these dayes, wherein it behoueth vs to make feruent prayers vnto almightie God, that the like to the Counsaile of Trent being novv ended be not kindled againe. Moreouer the prayers conteyned in this small booke, are both plaine, and do verye little disagree from the wordes of the Psalmes, vvhich I accompt to bee highly esteemed amongst praiers. For diuers arguments of many Psalmes are briefly and euidently expounded in these prayers, and a nū ber ⟨image 4⟩of darke and hard places made plain with a notable Paraphrase. VVherefore I doubt not but that such as be desirous to read this short little booke, shall reape farre greater cōmoditie therby then many would suppose. Novv haue I dedicated this small booke vnto thee (my deere Herman) that thou mayst haue both our Martyres token of remembraunce and mine also. For seing that thou diddest honour and reuerence Doctor Martyr (so long as hee liued) like a father: and moreouer louedst me so excedingly hitherto, as I maye rightfully ⟨image 4⟩place thee in the number of my deerest friendes: I verilye thinke that thou vvilt take this booke in right good vvorth, (although it be of a very small volume) vvhich I sende vnto thee being vvrittē in both our names. For so oft as you shall looke in this booke (vvhich of your godly dispositiō you vvil do very oft) so many times shal you call to minde the remembraunce of your olde friendes, not altogither to thee vnpleasant (as I hope.)
