PSAL. 2. 10

Bee wise now therefore, O yee Kings; bee instructed yee Iudges of the earth.

THE EPISTLE DEDICATORIE

MY dearest and onely Sonne, in the beginning of this same yeere, I wrote a short Meditation upon the Lords Prayer, and I told the reason, that now being growen in yeares, I was weary of Controuersies and to write of high questions, and therefore had chosen now a plaine and easie subiect to treat of: But of late it hath fallen out, that one day reading priuatly to my selfe the passion of Christ, in the end of S. Matthewes Gospell, I lighted vpon that part, where the Gouernors Souldiers mocked our Sauiour, with putting the ornaments of a King vpon him. Which appeared to me to be so punctually set doune, that my head hammered vpon it diuers times after, and specially the Croune of thornes went neuer out of my mind, remembring the thorny cares, which a King (if he haue a care of his office) must be subiect vnto, as (God knowes) I daily and nightly feele in mine owne person. Whereupon I apprehended that it would bee a good paterne to put inheritors to kingdomes in minde of their calling, by the forme of their inauguration; and so resolued to borrow some houres from my rest, to write a short Meditation upon it.