epistle dedicatory TO THE MOST HIGH AND MIGHTY PRINCE JAMES BY THE GRACE OF GOD KING OF GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE, There are infinite arguments of this right Christian AND IRELAND and religious affection in Your Majesty; but none is DEFENDER OF THE FAITH, &c. more forcible to declare it to others than the ve- hement and perpetuated desire of accomplishing The Translators of the Bible wish Grace, Mercy, and publishing of this work, which now with all and Peace through JESUS CHRIST our Lord humility we present unto Your Majesty. For when Great and manifold were the blessings, most dread Your Highness had once out of deep judgment ap- Sovereign, which Almighty God, the Father of all prehended how convenient it was, that out of the mercies, bestowed upon us the people of England, Original Sacred Tongues, together with comparing when first he sent Your Majesty’s Royal Person to of the labours, both in our own, and other foreign rule and reign over us. For whereas it was the ex- Languages, of many worthy men who went before pectation of many, who wished not well unto our us, there should be one more exact Translation of Sion, that upon the setting of that bright Occidental the holy Scriptures into the English Tongue; Your Star, Queen Elizabeth of most happy memory, some Majesty did never desist to urge and to excite those thick and palpable clouds of darkness would so have to whom it was commended, that the work might be overshadowed this Land, that men should have been hastened, and that the business might be expedited in doubt which way they were to walk; and that in so decent a manner, as a matter of such impor- it should hardly be known, who was to direct the tance might justly require. unsettled State; the appearance of Your Majesty, as And now at last, by the mercy of God, and the con- of the Sun in his strength, instantly dispelled those tinuance of our labours, it being brought unto such supposed and surmised mists, and gave unto all that a conclusion, as that we have great hopes that the were well affected exceeding cause of comfort; espe- Church of England shall reap good fruit thereby; we cially when we beheld the Government established hold it our duty to offer it to Your Majesty, not only in Your Highness, and Your hopeful Seed, by an un- as to our King and Sovereign, but as to the principal doubted Title, and this also accompanied with peace Mover and Author of the work: humbly craving of and tranquility at home and abroad. Your most Sacred Majesty, that since things of this But among all our joys, there was no one that more quality have ever been subject to the censures of filled our hearts, than the blessed continuance of the illmeaning and discontented persons, it may receive preaching of God’s sacred Word among us; which approbation and patronage from so learned and judi- is that inestimable treasure, which excelleth all the cious a Prince as Your Highness is, whose allowance riches of the earth; because the fruit thereof extend- and acceptance of our labours shall more honour and eth itself, not only to the time spent in this transitory encourage us, than all the calumniations and hard world, but directeth and disposeth men unto that interpretations of other men shall dismay us. So that eternal happiness which is above in heaven. if, on the one side, we shall be traduced by Popish Then not to suffer this to fall to the ground, but Persons at home or abroad, who therefore will ma- rather to take it up, and to continue it in that state, lign us, because we are poor instruments to make wherein the famous Predecessor of Your Highness God’s holy Truth to be yet more and more known did leave it: nay, to go forward with the confidence and resolution of a Man in maintaining the truth of unto the people, whom they desire still to keep in Christ, and propagating it far and near, is that which ignorance and darkness; or if, on the other side, we hath so bound and firmly knit the hearts of all Your shall be maligned by self-conceited Brethren, who Majesty’s loyal and religious people unto You, that run their own ways, and give liking unto nothing, Your very name is precious among them: their eye but what is framed by themselves, and hammered doth behold You with comfort, and they bless You on their anvil; we may rest secure, supported within in their hearts, as that sanctified Person who, under by the truth and innocency of a good conscience, God, is the immediate Author of their true happi- having walked the ways of simplicity and integrity, ness. And this their contentment doth not dimin- as before the Lord; and sustained without by the ish or decay, but every day increaseth and taketh powerful protection of Your Majesty’s grace and fa- strength, when they observe, that the zeal of Your vour, which will ever give countenance to honest Majesty toward the house of God doth not slack or and Christian endeavours against bitter censures go backward, but is more and more kindled, mani- and uncharitable imputations. festing itself abroad in the farthest parts of Chris- The Lord of heaven and earth bless Your Majesty tendom, by writing in defence of the Truth, (which with many and happy days, that, as his heavenly hath given such a blow unto that man of sin, as will hand hath enriched Your Highness with many sin- not be healed,) and every day at home, by religious gular and extraordinary graces, so You may be the and learned discourse, by frequenting the house of wonder of the world in this latter age for happiness God, by hearing the Word preached, by cherishing and true felicity, to the honour of that great GOD, the Teachers thereof, by caring for the Church, as a and the good of his Church, through Jesus Christ most tender and loving nursing Father. our Lord and only Saviour.

00-Front-KJVText-2010-Outreach-2.indd 4 6/4/2010 10:02:51 AM