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the superfluities of the laws, and digesting them into some order and method? This, that he had
been blotted by some to be an Epitomist, that is, one that extinguishes worthy whole volumes, to
bring his abridgments into request. This is the measure that hath been rendered to excellent Princes
in former times, even, Cum bene facerent, male audire, For their good deeds to be evil spoken of.
Neither is there any likelihood, that envy and malignity died, and were buried with the ancient. No,
no, the reproof of Moses taketh hold of most ages; “You are risen up in your fathers’ stead, and
increase of sinful men.”
] “What is that that hath been done? that which shall be done;
and there is no new thing under the Sun,” saith the wiseman:
] and S. Stephen, “As your
fathers did, so do you.” [
HIS MAJESTY’S CONSTANCY, NOTWITHSTANDING CULMINATION, FOR THE
SURVEY OF THE ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS
This, and more to this purpose, His Majesty that now reigneth (and long, and long may he reign,
and his offspring forever, “Himself and children, and children’s always) knew full well, according
to the singular wisdom given unto him by God, and the rare learning and experience that he hath
attained unto; namely that whosoever attempteth anything for the public (especially if it pertain to
Religion, and to the opening and clearing of the word of God) the same setteth himself upon a stage
to be gloated upon by every evil eye, yea, he casteth himself headlong upon pikes, to be gored by
every sharp tongue. For he that medleth with men’s Religion in any part, medleth with their custom,
nay, with their freehold; and though they find no content in that which they have, yet they cannot
abide to hear of altering. Notwithstanding his Royal heart was not daunted or discouraged for this
that colour, but stood resolute, “as a statue immovable, and an anvil not easy to be beaten into
plates,” as one [Suidas] saith; he knew who had chosen him to be a Soldier, or rather a Captain,
and being assured that the course which he intended made for the glory of God, and the building
up of his Church, he would not suffer it to be broken off for whatsoever speeches or practices. It
doth certainly belong unto Kings, yea, it doth specially belong unto them, to have care of Religion,
yea, it doth specially belong unto them, to have care of Religion, yea, to know it aright, yea, to
profess it zealously, yea to promote it to the uttermost of their power. This is their glory before all
nations which mean well, and this will bring unto them a far most excellent weight of glory in the
day of the Lord Jesus. For the Scripture saith not in vain, “Them that honor me, I will honor,” [
neither was it a vain word that Eusebius delivered long ago, that piety towards God was
the weapon and the only weapon, that both preserved Constantine’s person, and avenged him of
his enemies [Eusebius lib 10 cap 8].
THE PRAISE OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
But now what piety without truth? what truth (what saving truth) without the word of God?
What word of God (whereof we may be sure) without the Scripture? The Scriptures we are
commanded to search.
They are commended that searched and studied them.
and 8:28,29. They are reproved that were unskillful in them, or slow to believe them.
They can make us wise unto salvation.
If we be ignorant, they
will instruct us; if out of the way, they will bring us home; if out of order, they will reform us; if
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