XXV. hanging over the nation was as a call from God thereunto, CHAP. to avert that feared judgment: the writing having this expression, (with an eye to the queen's many popishly affected Anno 1580. subjects ready to rebel in all parts of her realm.) "The "sword hath been shaken at us, both in the north by trai"tors, and in the south by disordered wicked persons." And thus this History is brought to the twenty-second year of queen Elizabeth's happy reign. Thomas Cartwright, B. D. lady Margaret professor, to sir COMMUNIS totius literatorum hominum nationis (hono- Paper Office. Liceat enim mihi apud te, quod vere possum, libere etiam profiteri, me esse a seditione et contentionis studio aversissimum, nihil docuisse quod ex contextu quem tractabam, non sponte flueret: oblatam etiam de vestibus occasionem, prætereundo dissimulasse. Non nego quin docuerim ministerium nostrum ab avitæ et apostolicæ ecclesiæ ministerio deflexisse: cujus ad puritatem nostram exigi et efformari cupiebam. Sed dico hoc a me placide et sedate factum |