The whole works of W. Tyndall, John Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs,…The vvhole workes of W. Tyndall, Iohn Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs,…

I have also in many places set light in the margin to understand the text by. If any man find faults either with the translation or ought beside (which is easier for many to do, then so well to have translated, it them selves of their own pregnant wits, at the beginning without an ensample) to the same it shall be lawful to translate it them selves, and to put what they lust thereto. It I shall perceive either by my self, or by information of other, that ought be escaped me, or might more plainly be translated: I will shortly after cause it to be amended. Howbeit, in many places, me thinketh it better to put a declaration in the margin, then to run to far from the text. And in many places where the text seemeth at the first chop hard to be understand, yet the circumstances before and after, and often reading together, make it plain enough.

I haue also in many places set light in the margent to vnderstand the text by. If any mā finde fautes either with the translation or ought beside (which is easier for many to do, then so well to haue translated, it thē selues of their owne pregnante wittes, at the beginnyng without an ensāple) to the same it shalbe lawfull to trāslate it them selues, and to put what they lust thereto. It I shall perceaue either by my selfe, or by information of other, yt ought be escaped me, or might more playnly be translated: I will shortly after cause it to be amended. Howbeit, in many places, me thinketh it better to put a declaration in the margent, then to runne to farre from the text. And in many places where the text semeth at the first choppe hard to be vnderstād, yet the circumstaunces before and after, and often readyng together, make it plaine inough.

Moreover, because the kingdom of heaven, which is the Scripture and word of GOD, may be so locked up, that he which readeth or heareth it, can not understand it: as Christ testifieth how that the Scribes, and Pharisees had so shut it up Math. xxiij. and had taken away the key of knowledge. Luke. xj. that yt Jews which thought ¹them selves within, were yet so locked out, and are to this day, that they can understand no sentence of the Scripture. unto their salvation though they can rehearse the texts every where and dispute thereof, as subtly as the Popish Doctors of Dunces dark learning, which with their sophistry served us, as the Pharisees did yt Jews. Therefore, that I might be found faith full to my father, and Lord in distributing unto my brethren and fellows of one faith, their due and necessary food: so dressing it and seasoning it, that the weak stomachs may receive it also, and be the better for it: I thought it my duty (most dear reader) to warn thee before, and to show thee, the right way in, and to give thee, the true key to open it with all, and to arm thee against false Prophets, and malicious hypocrites, whose perpetual study is to blind the scripture with glosses, and there to lock it up, where it should save thee soul, & to make us shoot at a wrong mark, to put our trust in those things that profit their bellies only, and slay our souls.