Page:Bible (Douay Rheims OT1, 1609).djvu/4

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TO THE RIGHT
WELBELOVED ENGLISH
READER GRACE AND GLORIE
IN IESVS CHRIST EVERLASTING.

AT last through Gods goodnes (most dearly beloued) we send you here the greater part of the Old Testament: as long since you receiued the New; faithfully translated into English. The residue is in hād to be finished: and your desire therof shal not now (God prospering our intention) be long frustrate. As for the impediments, which hitherto haue hindered this worke, they al proceded (as manie do know) of one general cause, our poore estate in banishment. Wherin expecting better meanes, greatter difficulties rather ensued. Neuertheles you wil hereby the more perceiue our feruent good wil, euer to serue you, in that we haue brought forth this Tome, in these hardest times, of aboue fourtie yeares, since this College was most happely begune. Wherfore we nothing doubt, but you our dearest, for whom we haue dedicated our liues, wil both pardon the long delay, which we could not wel preuent, and accept now this fruict of our laboures, with like good affection, as we acknowlege them due, and offer the same vnto you.

If anie demand, why it is now allowed to haue the holie Scriptures in vulgar tongues, which generally is not per∣mitted, but in the three sacred only: for further declaration of this, & other like pointes we remite you to the Preface, before the New Testament. Only here, as by an Epitome,

we