valiant, and mighty Cyrus, the first monarch of the Per sians and Medians, not only obtained knowledge of the true living God by the same prophet, but also for singular affection which he bare to the true religion, restored unto liberty the people of Israel, permitting them to build a new temple, and to repair the walls of Jerusalem, which by the Babylonians sometime were brought to ruin. And albeit that by the perpetual hatred of Satan, working by his members, some years they were impeded, yet at the last, to the great consolation of all the people, was the work finished, where, many years after, God's true religion was observed.

Satan never believed his purpose rather to take effect, than when, after the death of Jesus Christ, he moved the princes of the priests, who then were esteemed the true church of God, to persecute the apostles, and other professors of Christ's evangel. For, who believed not great damage to follow the congregation, when, after the death of Stephen, who was stoned to death, the professors were dispersed, banished, and exiled from Jerusalem? But what entries the church of God thereby took, the eleventh chapter of the Acts of the Apostles showeth, in these words: "And they which were scattered abroad, because of the affliction that arose about Stephen, went through till they came unto Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching plainly the evangel of Jesus Christ."

Of these, and other testimonies of the scripture, we mas consider, dearly beloved brethren, that the infinite goodness of our Father turned the same things, whereby Satan and his members intended to destroy and oppress the true religion of God, to the advancement and forthsetting thereof; and that no less in these latter, wicked, and dangerous days, than he did in any age before us. Which thing this godly work subsequent shall openly declare. The counsel of Satan in the persecution of us, first, was to stop the wholesome winds of Christ's evangel to blow upon the parts where we converse and dwell; and secondly, so to oppress ourselves by corporeal affliction, and worldly calamities, that we should find no place to godly study. But by the great mercy, and infinite goodness of God our Father, these his counsels shall be frustrate and vain. For in despite of him, and all his wicked members, shall yet that same word-O Lord, this I speak, confiding in thy holy promise-openly be proclaimed in that same country.*

* Scotland.

And how that our merciful Father, amongst these tempestuous storms, beyond all men's expectation, hath provided some rest for us, this present work shall testify; which was sent to me in Roan, I then lying in irons, and sore troubled by corporal infirmity, in a galley named Notre Dame, by an honourable man and faithful christian brother, M. Henry Balnaves, of Halhill, for the present holden as prisoner, though unjustly, in the old palace of Roan. Which work, after I had once again read, to the great comfort and consolation of my spirit, by counsel and advice of the aforesaid noble and faithful man, author of the same work, I thought expedient it should be digested into chapters; and to the better memory of the reader, the contents of every chapter proponed briefly unto them, with certain annotations, to the more instruction of the simple, in the margin. And also that an epitome of the same work should be shortly collected, we have likewise digested the same into chapters, which follow the work in place of a table. Which thing I have done, as imbecility of understanding and incommodity of place would permit ; not so much to illustrate the work, which in itself is godly and perfect, as, together with the aforesaid noble man and faithful brother, to give my confession of the article of JUSTIFICATION therein contained. And I beseech you, beloved brethren, earnestly to consider if we deny any thing presently, or yet conceal or hide, which any time before we professed in that article.

:

And now we have not the castle of St. Andrew's to be our defence, as some of our enemies falsely accused us. saying, If we wanted our walls we would not speak so boldly but we pray the eternal God, that the same affection, which now and then remained in us, remain with them ternally. The Lord shall judge if all which we spake was not of pure heart, having no respect either to love or hatred of any person, but only to the word of God and verity of his scriptures, as we must answer in the great day of the Lord, where no man shall have place to dissemble. But, blessed be that Lord, whose infinite goodness and wisdom hath taken from us the occasion of that slander, and hath shown unto us that the serpent hath power only to sting the heel, that is, to molest and trouble the flesh, but not to move the spirit from constant adhering to Jesus Christ, and public professing of his true word. O! blessed be thou, eternal Father, who by thy mercy

alone hast preserved us to this day, and provided that the confession of our faith, which we ever desired all men to have known, should by this treatise come plainly to light, Continue, O Lord, and grant unto us, that as now with pen and ink, so, shortly we may confess with voice and tongue, the same before thy congregation; upon whom look, O Lord God, with the eyes of thy mercy, and suffer no more darkness to prevail. I pray you, pardon me, beloved brethren, that on this matter I digress: vehemency of spirit-the Lord knoweth I lie not-compelleth me thereto. The head of Satan shall be trodden down, when he believeth surely to triumph. Therefore, most dear brethren, (so call I all professing Christ's evangel,) continue in that purpose which ye have begun godly; though the battle appear strong, your Captain is inexpugnable: to Him is given all power in heaven and earth. Abide, stand, and call for his support; and so the enemies, who now affright you, shortly shall be confounded, and never again shall appear to molest you.

Consider, brethren; it is no speculative theologian who desires to give you courage, but even your brother in affliction, who partly hath experience what Satan's wrath may do against the chosen of God. Rejoice (yet I say) spiritually, and be glad; the time of the battle is short, but the reward is eternal. Victory is sure, without ye list to fly (which God forbid) from Christ. But that ye may plainly know whereby Satan and the world are overcome, and which are the weapons against whom they may not stand, ye shall read diligently this work following; which, I am sure, no man having the Spirit of God shall think tedious, because it contains nothing except the very scriptures of God, and meditations of his law, wherein is the whole study of the godly man both day and night, knowing that therein are found only wisdom, prudence, liberty, and life. And therefore, in reading, talking, or meditation thereof, he is never satiated. But, as for the ungodly, because their works are wicked, they may not abide the light. And therefore they abhor all godly writings, thinking them tedious, though they contain not the length of the Lord's Prayer. But according to the threatening of Isaiah the prophet, saying, Because they contemn the law of the Lord God, he shall contemn them. Their hearts shall be hardened, in the day of anguish and trouble they shall despair, and curse the Lord God in their hearts. They shall

be numbered to the sword, and in the slaughter shall they fall. Then shall they know that their works were vain, and that they placed their refuge in lies. Their vestments of spiders' webs, which are their vain works, shall not abide the force of the Lord's wind; but they shall stand naked, and the works of iniquity in their hands, to their extreme confusion. And this shall apprehend and overtake them, because they call light darkness, and darkness light. That which was sweet, they called bitter; and, by the contrary, that which was bitter, they called sweet, seeking salvation where none was to be found. But you, most christian brethren, humbly I beseech, and in the blood of Jesus Christ I exhort, that you read diligently this present treatise. Not only with earnest prayer, that you may understand the same aright, but also with humble and due thanksgiving unto our most merciful Father, who of his infinite power hath so strengthened the hearts of his prisoners, that in despite of Satan they desist not yet to work, but in the greatest vehemency of tribulation seek the utility and salvation of others.

It is not my purpose to commend, or advance this work with words, as commonly writers of profane or human science do, seeing the verity is only to be commended by itself. But one thing boldly I dare affirm, that no man who cometh with a godly heart hereto, shall pass from the same without satisfaction. The firm and weak shall find strength and comfort, the rude and simple true knowledge and erudition, the learned and godly humble rejoicing, by the omnipotent spirit of Jesus Christ, to whom be glory before his congregation. Amen.

This work following contains three principal parts. The first part, How man, being in trouble, should seek refuge at God alone. And that naturally all men are subject to trouble, and how profitable the same is to the godly. Last, of the cruel persecution of Satan and his members against the chosen of God.

The second part contains, How man is released of his trouble by faith and hope in the promises of God, and therefore declares the article of justification, proving that faith only justifieth before God, without any deserving or merit of our works, either preceding or following faith; with a solution to certain contrary arguments made by the

adversaries of faith and this article, with the true understanding of such scriptures as they allege for them.

The third and last part contains the fruits of faith, which are good works, which every man should work according to their own vocation in every estate.

All this plainly may be perceived in the life of our first parent Adam, who by transgression of God's command ment fell into great trouble and affliction. From which he should never have been released, without the goodness of God had first called him; and, secondly, made unto him the promise of his salvation. The which Adam believing, before ever he wrought good works, was reputed just. After, during all his life, he continued in good works, striving against Satan, the world, and his own flesh.

The Author, unto the faithful Readers.

The love, favour, mercy, grace, and peace of God the Father, God the Son, with the illumination of God the Holy Ghost, be with you all, my beloved brethren, who thirst after the knowledge of the word of God; and most fervently desire the same to the augmentation and increasing of the church of Christ, daily to flourish in godly wisdom and understanding, through faith unfeigned, ever working by love. Amen.