To the reverend and learned men, the Students of holy Scripture, in the Chri∣stian Vniversities of Leyden in Holland, of Sanctandrewes in Scot∣land▪ of Heidelbergh, Geneva, and the other like famous scholes of learning in the Low countreyes, Scot∣land, Germany, and France.
The English exiles in the Low countreys, wish grace and peace in Iesus Christ.
THis true confession of our faith, in our judgment wholy agreable to the sacred Scripture, we do here exhibit vnto all to be discus∣sed: and vnto you (reverend Sirs) we dedicate it for two causes. First, for that we know you are able in respect of your singular knowledge in the Scriptures, and hope you are willing in respect of your syncere piety, to convince our errours by the light of Gods word, if in any thing we be out of the way. Secondly, that this testimony of Christian faith, if you also fynd it agree with the word of truth, may by you be appro∣ved, eyther in silence or by writing, as you shall think best.
It may be, we shalbe thought very bold, that being despised of all, yet doubted not to sollicite you so many and so great learned men. But this we did, partly at the request of others to whom we would not deny it: partly with desier to have the truth through your help better defen∣ded and further spread abroad: partly cōstreyned by our exile and other calamityes almost infinite: partly also moved with love of our native coūtrey, and of these wherein now we live, and others else where: wish∣ing that all may walk with a right foot to the truth of the Gospell, and praying daily vnto God, that the great work of restoring Religion and the Church decayed, which he hath happily begun in these latter ty∣mes, by our Gracious Soveraigne and the other Princes of these coun∣treyes and ages (his servants) he would fully accomplish, to the glory of his name and eternall salvation in Christ of his elect in all places of the earth.
As for the causes which moved vs to publish this Confession of faith, and to forsake the Church of England as now it stādeth, we have truly and as briefly as we could related them in the Preface to the Rea∣der, hereafter following: and therefore thought here to omit the repe∣tition of them. The Lord Iesus alway preserve you and your Vniver∣sityes to the praise of his name, the ornamēt of good learning, the pro∣pagation and maintenance of his pure Religion. From Amsterdam in the low countreyes. The yeare of the last patience of the saints, 1598.