history, where the former ended; viz. commencing at the happy access of queen Elizabeth to the throne: when the great and divine work was taken in hand again, of removing the gross superstitions and errors of Rome, which had been restored by queen Mary, her immediate predecessor; shewing the steps then taken in the restoring and reestablishing that excellent primitive religion professed among us, and continued (thanks be to God) to this day.

And I cannot but add, that as we, your majesty's subjects of this protestant communion, have abundant cause to give God thanks for his peculiar blessing in setting over us a prince under whom we enjoy this true, reformed religion; so also for your preserving and maintaining us in our civil rights and properties, together with peace at home and abroad: insomuch that we seem to be altogether as happy a people now, under your majesty's influence and care, as they that lived under the glorious queen Elizabeth.

And as your majesty's reign over us hath hitherto been so signally blessed by God, moved by the many devout petitions, daily and constantly made, in the words of the liturgy of this our church, and the good effect they have found, so I cannot conclude this my humble address to your majesty better than in another address to the great "King of

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kings and Lord of lords, the only Ruler of princes," that (as we pray in our said holy office) you may long reign over us; and that he would

rule your heart in his faith, fear, and love; and give you the victory over all your enemies: and that as God hath set your majesty, and other kings and princes of the earth, in great place and dignity, so to make you and them great instruments of benefiting mankind; and as you are earthly gods, so you may have grace to imitate the God of heaven in doing good to all, and in executing justice, mercy, and truth in the earth: and that we, your subjects, duly considering whose authority you have, may faithfully serve, honour, and humbly obey you, according to God's holy word and ordinance. And lastly, that your royal issue, that God hath blessed you and us with, may be enriched with all heavenly graces, and prosper in all earthly happiness; and, after you, may happily reign over these kingdoms in a long succession of after-ages. These are the sincere and daily prayers of,

May it please your majesty,

Your most dutiful and

ever loyal subject,

JOHN STRYPE.

THE

PREFACE.

FOR the church of England, piously and rightly reformed under queen Elizabeth, have been written solid apologies and vindications, both of its doctrine and discipline, ministry and worship, by divers able and learned men. Care also hath been taken from time to time to preserve and establish it by wholesome laws and constitutions. And the members of it have (thanks be to God) enjoyed plentiful means of Christian knowledge and edification, not only by the constant preaching of God's word, but by the practical and devotional books frequently published for their use. But one thing hath been wanting still, after so long a time that this excellent church hath flourished; viz. an historical account of its reformation, and the particular method and order of the proceedings in that glorious work; and what oppositions or encouragements it met with from time to time; what friends or enemies it found; what bishops or divines, singular for their piety or learning, it was adorned with; and the various successes and occurrences that attended it after its first settlement.

And it is some wonder that we should be left destitute to this day of so material a branch of our English history under that incomparable princess, except what is written by Mr. Fuller, (who is very brief,) and Dr. Heylin, and the right reverend bishop of Sarum, who goes little further than the beginning of her reign. It is probable such an undertaking was intended long since, that is, in Camden's time for in his Annals of that queen, he purposely passeth lightly over church-matters; and in some places hinteth the reason, that he left them for the ecclesiastical historian; as if there had been some such fixed upon for that work in

his time. And before him John Fox intended his last labours that way, and had prepared very considerable materials for that purpose; some whereof are fallen into my hands; many are dispersed elsewhere; and not a few lost. And I have been told, great heaps of collections were in and after the times of that queen got together, in order to write her ecclesiastical history; but that this good work and the collections themselves were stifled, and lost in the civil wars.

Notwithstanding, of the use of such an history, there is none, I believe, but is sensible. Both the clergy of this church, (who are the ministers and professed servants of it,) and all its other members, may hereby satisfy themselves, and (as occasion serves) inform others, what reasonable, just, and wise methods were taken in the reforming of it; and how signally the providence of God all along favoured and furthered it. It will shew us upon what firm ground of scripture and antiquity our reformation stands, and will help to direct and enlighten us in our controversies about it. And by making us understand what our original constitution is, we shall not be easily imposed upon; and we shall know, when we, or others, go beyond, fall short of, or vary from the true reformed church of England.

Since then, after so long a time, no abler pen hath undertaken this province; viz. to relate how true religion was restored, under the foresaid princess, so regularly, wisely, and legally, by consent of prince and people, and what progress was made therein; I have at length attempted it, and done my endeavour, according to my small capacity, to serve God, and this church herein; and that from proper collections by me, for many years made, as well out of private studies, as other public libraries and treasuries of MSS.: where many choice and secret matters are discovered, to furnish out a true account of these religious transactions.

And that I might not write superficially, by undertaking too much at once, I have stinted myself to go no further