After I had finished this simple translation for the benefit of the unlettered, some of my well-wishers, conceiving well of the matter, were very desirous that I should present the same to some noble personage: others, challenging more knowledge in courtly affairs, persuaded the contrary, being of opinion, that though it might in some respect seem plausible enough, yet the present being but simple, could not deserve to be advanced to court, especially to a place of estate. And although I supposed, and partly knew, that the opinion of the latter was but weak in judgment: yet, lo, it made so much the longer stay in deliberation, by how much I was abashed in conceit, in respect of my rudeness and unfitness, to satisfy the learned and courtly ears. Nevertheless, having clothed my stranger in English attire (whom I call a stranger, in respect of the person who was the first author thereof), and well knowing the court, to the great fame and honor thereof, by the space of many years now passed, to have been the rescue of all strangers distressed, I could not but believe that in the court this stranger, so godly, so zealous, so learned, should be both easily accepted and gently entertained: and encouraged by this well-known experience, I yielded myself to the first persuasion, and finding by general report, Madame, the noble ornaments and gifts — I speak not only of nature, but of godliness, wisdom, and zeal, joined with singular mildness and benignity, being the fruits of grace amongst the rest especially, to shine in your sacred breast — I was thereby emboldened to proceed, and above all others, to presume upon your honorable patience, and to present to your honor this my poor stranger. In whose commendation I dare boldly affirm, that there was never any a more trusty servant to his master: never any of more undaunted courage in his master's cause: never any that adventured, or dared adventure farther: never any that used more constancy, magnanimity, and force, in battering the fortresses of the enemy: never any that pierced deeper, prevailed further, and procured larger, for the safety of poor Christians, so many hundred years oppressed, imprisoned, impoverished, yoked, and chained in miserable captivity, through the monstrous outrage of that execrable Nimrod of Rome, amongst many of whose exploits, albeit there cannot any one be found that is not able to replenish the spiritual and true Christian man with such and so great joy as cannot with my pen be expressed, yet in my simple judgment, this one little treatise of his, which I have now above all others selected to translate, does far excel and surmount in ghostly consolation, wherein are treated no vain, childish, or trifling toys, but sweet, delectable, serious, weighty, and matters of great importance, namely, the pure faith of a true Christian man, the joyful union and marriage of the most amiable bridegroom Jesus Christ to the poor miserable abject and wretched soul, the well ordering of Christian life, and the gladsome Christian freedom and liberty. Even such a one is this my stranger, whom, if it may please your honor to vouchsafe unto your honorable patronage, I shall not only account myself most happy in my choice, but also — acknowledging your honorable courtesy in full satisfaction of my English cost, such as it is employed — yield myself doubly bound and indebted to your honor in anything which my pen may endeavor, or travel may perform. The Holy Ghost, the author of all goodness and ghostly consolation, replenish your heart with the most joyful freedom of his grace, to the comfort of all such as travel in the building of God's holy temple.
Your honor's most humble at commandment, James Bell.
