¶The Conclusion of the worke.
ANd thus to conclude (good Christian Reader) this present tractation not for lacke of matter, but to shorten rather the matter for largenes of the volume, I here stay for this present time with further addition of more discourse either to ouerweary thee with lon∣ger tediousnes, or ouercharge the booke with longer prolixity, hauing hitherto set forth the Actes and Proceedinges of the whole Church of Christ, namely of the Church of England, although not in such particular perfectiō, that nothing hath ouerpassed vs. Yet in such generall sufficiency, that I trust not very much hath escaped vs, necessary to be knowne, touching the principall affayres, doinges and pro∣ceedinges of the Church and Churchmen. Wherein may be seene the whole state, order, discent, course and continuaunce of the same, the encrease and decrease of true religion, the creeping in of superstition, the horrible troubles of persecution, the wonderfull assistaunce of the almighty in mainteining his truth, the glorious constancy of Christes Martyrs, the rage of the enemyes, the alteration of times, the trauelles and troubles of the Church, from the first primatiue age of Christes Gospel, to the end of Queen Mary, and the beginning of this our graci∣ous Queene Elizabeth. During the time of her happy reigne, which hath hetherto continued (through the gracious protection of the Lord) the space now of 24. yeres, as my wish is, so I would be glad, the good wil of the Lord were so, that no more matter of such lamētable stories may euer bee offered hereafter to write vpon. But so it is I cannot tel how, the elder the world waxeth, the longer it continueth, the nerer it hasteneth to his end, the more Sathan ••ageth: geuing still new matter of writing bookes and volumes: In so much that if all were recorded and committed to history, that within the sayd compasse of this Queenes reigne hitherto, hath happened in Scotland, Flanders, France, Spayne, Germany, besides this our owne Countrey of England and Ireland, with other Countryes moe, I verely suppose one Eusebius or Polyhistor, whiche Plinnye writeth of, woulde not suffice thereunto. But of these incidentes and occur∣rentes hereafter more, as it shall please the Lord to geue grace and space. In the meane time the grace of the Lord Iesus worke with thee (gentle Reader) in all thy studious readinges. And while thou hast space so employ thy selfe to read, that by reading thou mayst learne dayly to knowe that may profite thy soule, may teach thee experience, may arme thee with pacience, and instruct thee in all spirituall knowledge more and more, to thy perpetuall com∣fort and saluation in Christ Iesu our Lord, to whome be glory in Secula Seculorum. Amen.