There came forth two years since the gospel of John, with my interpretation, which I trust hath not been fruitless. And thus like an apparitor, I have endeavoured to my power, to set forth Christ, riding princelike in his four wheeled chariot, very gloriously: By reading of which work, when the gentle readers have profited them selves, they will not be loath to confess, that they have not studied it in vain: which Evangelical history being described and set forth by four witnesses, appointed by God himself, I do not without cause compare unto a chariot: for of this sweet and pleasant consent God seemeth purposely to have made as it were, a triumphant chariot for his son, out of which he might plainly appear to be seen of all his faithful people, and by the swiftness whereof he might lightly pass, and as it were, range over the whole world. Neither doth Augustine unfitly compare the four Evangelists to trumpets, the noise whereof doth sound in all coasts, that the Church of Christ being summoned out of the four quarters of the world, might flock and gather together from the East and the West, from the South and the North, unto an holy consent of faith. Wherefore their absurd curiosity is the less to be borne withal, who being not content with these Gospels (which be as it were proclamations proceeding from heaven) thrust out their own toys, and corrupt imaginations, which do nothing but defile the purity of faith, & cause Christs name to be scorned and had in derision of the ungodly. As for you, which do• far excel the common sort, since you detest in mind all that corrupt leaven, wherewith the true sincerity of the Gospel is infected, and show your selves to delight in nothing more then in maintaining and allowing the plain and simple doctrine, as it is set forth by Christ himself: I am not only persuaded that you will very well like of this my watchful work, which expoundeth the treasure of glad tiding: but also I have a good hope, that this sign or token of my good will and love to you ward, will be aswell acceptable, in that I have dedicated the same unto you. Thus I bid you farewell, right honourable Lords, and wish that Christ may direct you with his holy spirit, strengthen you with his power, preserve you under his protection, and enrich your City and common weal with his plenteous benediction.
There came forth two yeeres since the gospel of Iohn, with my interpretation, which I trust hath not beene fruitelesse. And thus like an apparitor, I haue endeuoured to my power, to set forth Christe, ryding princelike in his foure wheeled chariot, very gloriously: By reading of which worke, when the gentle readers haue profited them selues, they wil not be loath to confesse, that they haue not studied it in vaine: which Euangelicall history being described and sette forth by foure witnesses, appointed by God himselfe, I do not without cause compare vnto a chariot: for of this sweete and pleasaunt consent God seemeth purposelye to haue made as it were, a triumphant chariot for his son, out of which he might plainly appeare to be seene of al his faithful people, and by the swiftnes whereof he might lightly passe, and as it were, raunge ouer the whole world. Neither doth Augustine vnfitly compare the foure Euangelistes to trumpets, the noyse whereof doth sound in al coastes, that the Churche of Christe beeing summoned out of the foure quarters of the world, might flock and gather together from the East and the VVeste, from the South and the North, vnto an holy consent of faith. VVherefore their absurd curiositie is the lesse to be borne withal, who being not content with these Gospels (which be as it were proclamations proceeding from heauen) thrust out their own toyes, and corrupt imaginatiōs, which do nothing but defile the puritie of faith, & cause Christes name to be scorned and had in derision of the vngodly. As for you, which do• farre excel the common sort, since you detest in minde al that corrupt leuen, wherewith the true sinceritie of the Gospell is infected, and shewe your selues to delight in nothing more then in maintaining and allowing the plaine and simple doctrine, as it is set forth by Christ himselfe: I am not only perswaded that you wil very wel like of this my watchful worke, which expoundeth the treasure of glad tiding: but also I haue a good hope, that this signe or token of my good will and loue to you ward, will be aswel acceptable, in that I haue dedicated the same vnto you. Thus I bid you farewel, right honourable Lordes, and wishe that Christ may direct you with his holy spirit, strengthen you with his power, preserue you vnder his protection, and enrich your Citie and common weale with his plenteous benediction.
