James Version (KJV)

Epistle dedicatory, KJV, King James Version
 
 

TO THE MOST HIGH AND MIGHTY PRINCE

JAMES,

BY THE GRACE OF GOD

KING OF GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE, AND IRELAND,

DEFENDER OF THE FAITH, &C.,/P

The Translators of the Bible wish Grace, Mercy and Peace,

through JESUS CHRIST, our Lord.

____________

G REAT and manifold were the blessings, most dread Sovereign, which Almighty God, the

Father of all mercies, bestowed upon us the people of England, when first he sent Your

Majesty's Royal Person to rule and reign over us. For whereas it was the expectation of many,

who wished not well unto our Sion, that upon the setting of that bright Occidental Star, Queen

Elizabeth of most happy memory, some thick and palpable clouds of darkness would so have

overshadowed this Land, that men should have been in doubt which way they were to walk;

and that it should hardly be known, who was to direct the unsettled State; the appearance of

your Majesty, as the Sun in his strength, instantly dispelled those supposed and surmised mists,

and gave unto all that were well affected exceeding cause of comfort; especially when we

beheld the Government established in Your Highness, and Your hopeful Seed, by an

undoubted Title, and this also accompanied with peace and tranquillity at home and abroad.

But among all our joys, there was no one that more filled our hearts, than the blessed

continuance of the preaching of God's sacred Word among us; which is that inestimable

treasure, which excelleth all the riches of the earth; because the fruit thereof extendeth itself,

not only to the time spent in this transitory world, but directeth and disposeth men unto that

eternal happiness which is above in heaven.

Then not to suffer this to fall to the ground, but rather to take it up, and to continue it in that

state, wherein the famous Predecessor of Your Highness did leave it: nay, to go forward with

the confidence and resolution of a Man in maintaining the truth of Christ, and propagating it far

and near, is that which hath so bound and firmly knit the hearts of all Your Majesty's loyal and

religious people unto You, that Your very name is precious among them: their eye doth behold

You with comfort, and they bless You in their hearts, as that sanctified Person who, under

God, is the immediate Author of their true happiness. And this their contentment doth not

diminish or decay, but every day increaseth and taketh strength, when they observe, that the

zeal of Your Majesty toward the house of God doth not slack or go backward, but is more and

more kindled, manifesting itself abroad in the farthest parts of Christendom, by writing in

defence of the Truth, (which hath given such a blow unto that man of sin, as will not be

healed,) and every day at home, by religious and learned discourse, by frequenting the house

of God, by hearing the Word preached, by cherishing the Teachers thereof, by caring for the

Church, as a most tender and loving nursing Father.

There are infinite arguments of this right christian and religious affection in Your Majesty; but

none is more forcible to declare it to others than the vehement and perpetuated desire of

accomplishing and publishing of this work, which now with all humility we present unto Your

Majesty. For when Your Highness had once out of deep judgment apprehended how

convenient it was, that out of the Original Sacred Tongues, together with comparing of the

labours, both in our own, and other foreign Languages, of many worthy men who went before

us, there should be one more exact Translation of the holy Scriptures into the English Tongue;

Your Majesty did never desist to urge and to excite those to whom it was commended, that the

work might be hastened, and that the business might be expedited in so decent a manner, as a

matter of such importance might justly require.

And now at last, by the mercy of God, and the continuance of our labours, it being brought

unto such a conclusion, as that we have great hopes that the Church of England shall reap good

fruit thereby; we hold it our duty to offer it to Your Majesty, not only as to our King and

Sovereign, but as to the principal Mover and Author of the work: humbly craving of Your most

Sacred Majesty, that since things of this quality have ever been subject to the censures of

illmeaning and discontented persons, it may receive approbation and patronage from so learned

and judicious a Prince as Your Highness is, whose allowance and acceptance of our labours

shall more honour and encourage us, than all the calumniations and hard interpretations of

other men shall dismay us. So that if, on the one side, we shall be traduced by Popish Persons

at home or abroad, who therefore will malign us, because we are poor instruments to make

God's holy Truth to be yet more and more known unto the people, whom they desire still to

keep in ignorance and darkness; or if, on the other side, we shall be maligned by self-conceited

Brethren, who run their own ways, and give liking unto nothing, but what is framed by

themselves, and hammered on their anvil; we may rest secure, supported within by truth and

innocency of a good conscience, having walked the ways of simplicity and integrity, as before

the Lord; and sustained without by the powerful protection of Your Majesty's grace and favour,

which will ever give countenance to honest and christian endeavours against bitter censures and

uncharitable imputations.

The Lord of heaven and earth bless Your Majesty with many and happy days, that,

as his heavenly hand hath enriched Your Highness with many singular and

extraordinary graces, so You may be the wonder of the world in this latter age for

happiness and true felicity, to the honour of that great GOD, and the good of his

Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord and only Saviour.