A Petition to the King
The source for this document is https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A16993.0001.001
Project Note
This is licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND. This license allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
The source of this document is the Early English Books Online (EEBO-TCP) website. Those books were transcribed in a character for character manner and can be very cumbersome to read since there was no standard spelling during that time. Many spelling variations such as "unlesse", "vnlesse", and "vnles" regularly appear.
This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.
Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.
However, a word of warning: The Puritans were a very diverse group of people and their age was characterized with godliness, but also much upheaval, disputation and strife. They disagreed on many doctrines and some of these works contain less orthodox or Scriptural views than others. The reader is strongly advised to read with discernment, particularly if it is unknown whether author is trustworthy.
This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.
Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org
A PETITION TO THE KING.
FOR AVTHORITY AND ALLOWANCE to expound the Apocalypse in Hebrew and Greek, To show Jews and Gentiles: that Rome in Cęsars and Pope, is therein still damned.
And for translators to set over all into other large-used tongues.
1611.
TO THE KINGS MAIESTY.
S Ince the time that the Jesuits, my liege L. are busy with our K. I held it my duty to show readynes to combat with them. And because the Apocalypse revealeth perpetual wrath of God upon Rome for killing of Christ as was told by Balaam, Numb. 24. I made two English Commentaries upon that book: one brief, to show the harmony of the visions: the other large: showing how God in one word lappeth the whole tenor of Rome's badness. Because it is not fit for me to steal a victory: I would make two Cōmentaryes moo: in tongues which the Pope is bound to understand: one in Hebrew upon an Hebrew translation: another in Greek upon John's own style. The Hebrew would yield this commodity. The Apocalypse in two sorts draweth all the law to it. It showeth Christ from all the law and prophets: and the curse of Rome from all the old cursed since the serpent deceived Eve. This cannot be so well done in any tongue as in Hebrew: as John translateth Hebrew most strictly: and this would win millions of Jews, which groan to be taught. Sr John Fortescue of honorable memory, receiving the Hebrew books which I printed upon mine own charges, told the messenger cōfidently, that he would obtain of the K. a very great stipend to go forward. But the very aged honorable gentleman was prevented by death: that the K. might show himself willing of himself: in his enemies cause: that the Pope may be known of all Jews that he is the tail of the old Dragon. So both Jews and Papists shall be together here benefited. Yea and Turks too. Of which argument I may here lay down part of a letter of the Lieger at Constantinople, written to M. Richard Stapers merchant. These be his words.
There is a Jew taking himself learned, and hearing of the good fame of M. H. Broughton, hath invited him to make proof of his learning, by the due answer expected by the Jew from the said Broughton. And therefore I require your worship; though as I hear, he be not in London, yet to cause the same to be sent unto him, and to procure answer: and if it were possible to cause him to come hither: being, as I hear, little esteemed there. I assure your worship it might turn to the benefit of Christendom.
Yours Barton.
I was at Basil when the Jews letter, and the Ambassadors came to my hand: and I printed the Jews letter: and others in Hebrew to Archb. Whitgift, and in Greek to the rest of the Bishops. And when they despised the cause: they and the like sped never the better: and upon mine own charges I printed, and scattered books. I wish your Majesty's charges to clear all the Bible so. And this much for Hebrew handling of the Apocalypse. Now for Greek. The Caesar's wickedness should be told briefly: whereby they are so hateful to God: from Greeks, best in their own tongue: and the Popes continual treachery to overthrow the East Empire, ever since great Constantine left hated Rome: and I would expound in Greek all the Apocalypse for Greece: and chose out of their Commentaries all that is good. A Greek Bishop told me they have 30. which he will help me too, by the Patriarch. We have but two printed. I request your Majesty's authority and allowance for this pains: even to hire also others to turn all to other tongues. This summer might at Basil, where plenty is of Hebrew Printers, serve me for to expound in Hebrew, the Apocalypse: and the next, for the Greek: and the rest of my life should open the consent of all the Bible showing Christ, in Adams tongue: which work would force Academiques to better agreement: as that little which I have done in Hebrew, is welcome to all sorts. This I dare promise your M. by God's help, that you shall never repent of liberality this way: and I most humbly request your royal wisdom to regard aright this most weighty cause.
Your Majesty's humble subject, H. BROVGHTON.