To the right worshipful Sir Robert Iermyn, Knight, and to the right worshipful his godly and virtuous wife, the Lady
Judith Iermyn,
Thomas Stocker wishes continual increase of all spiritual and earthly good things in this life, with an earnest zeal to the glorious Gospel of Christ Jesus, and perseverance of practice thereof unto the end and in the end, and after this life, everlasting joy and bliss in the life to come through the same Christ Jesus our Lord.
Albeit the whole Scripture universally (Right Worshipful) is as it were a divine Mistress, teaching both virtue and true faith: yet notwithstanding the Book of Psalms has over and besides that in a manner an express image of the state and condition of souls, and therefore very necessary for all people in general. However, this hundred and nineteenth Psalm, namely, contains a perfect art and a wonderful vehemence of the Kingly Prophet, in setting forth and highly extolling the praise of God's law and the excellency thereof: wherein he cannot satisfy himself, nor yet sufficiently express the affection which he bears thereunto, adding moreover many notable complaints and consolations, wherefore it is most meet for all the children of God to have it always both in their hearts and mouths, and so continually meditating thereon as this holy Prophet did in his distress, they may also find the like comfort, whenever and whatsoever affliction shall assail them, and also to flee and abhor that which is wicked and evil in the sight of the Lord.
Which Psalm being divided into twenty-two parts, by eight verses apart, according to the Hebrew Alphabet, the godly and learned Father and most famous furtherer of the glorious Gospel of our Savior and Redeemer Christ, has according to that order, very religiously handled and drawn into as many Sermons, to the benefit and comfort of all the true and faithful Scholars in the School of God, who shall diligently read them, and earnestly strive to follow the same direction in their life and conversation.
Which Sermons, according to my poor skill, I have Englished from the French, and have taken boldness to dedicate and offer this my simple travail unto your Worships, as a special token of my goodwill in Christ: beseeching you to accept of this my labor, not according to the rude translation, but the goodness of the matter which they propound, and my hearty affection unto you. And the rather have I been emboldened to do this: both for that I have been credibly informed of your great pains taking in reading over such like godly works, as also that myself am Testis oculatus, of your daily presence and diligent attention at all Sermons and godly exercises used in this country of Stuff. Whose good and godly beginnings with the rest of the right worshipful both men and women in these parts (and all others of what state and condition soever they be), I heartily beseech our good God and merciful Father, even for His Christ, His truth, & mercies' sake, to increase, strengthen, and continue with daily practice of the same, in some measure in your lives and conversation, with full perseverance unto the end of your days here, without which all the rest is but labor lost. For as the Apostle witnesses, we are made partakers of Christ, if we keep sure unto the end that beginning wherewith we are upheld.
The Lord God, therefore, by His Holy Spirit work these effects in you and in us all that profess His gospel, and lead our adversaries (when it shall please Him) into the truth, as He is God of truth: that when His Son Christ our Savior shall appear in glory, we may be found to have walked without halting in whatsoever He hath thought meet to open to us for our salvation. From Mildenhall the 4th of November, 1579.
Your worships to command in the Lord, Tho. Stocker.