But, in short, I must tell him, and certify all others, that it would be but a great deal of labour lost, and time spent in vain; since what I have entered in my copies, and prepared writings for the press, were always reviewed by me, and carefully compared with the records and originals by me transcribed. And moreover I have ever been very careful and punctual in all my collections thence: whereof I have many volumes (now bound up) taken by my own pen, and with mine own eyes, and made use of no other transcribers or amanuenses; unless what some learned friends abroad, and in the universities, had communicated to me.

And I may add, that I dare say I have, for many long years together, conversed with historical MSS. (falling within the sæculum reformatum,) whether records, registers, instruments, letters of statesmen, as well as other private letters of the court and nobility, together with very many ancient printed books of those times, (having met with some special advantages that way,) more than many men alive have done. And when afterwards I was purposed, for the public good, to digest and publish some of these pains of mine, I ever made it my resolution to be just, faithful, and impartial in what I should deliver and recommend unto the world from thence.

And truly I may well bear the discouragement and calumnies of one, or a few unknown, prejudiced persons, considering the approbation and encouragement I have had for many years of so many otherwise learned and able persons, of the clergy as well as laity, of this kingdom, as also that of Ireland, (of better rank than "ordinary readers, led by "me into errors,") and of their good acceptance of what I have written, as also their earnest desires of my continuance and proceeding therein.

And that I may not make this a mere boast, I am compelled, in respect of my reputation, so much injured, to give a few testimonials from some of them, of me and my writings, that I may leave some better character behind me.

The reverend Mr. Nicolas Battely, deceased, (who set forth a second edition of Somner's Antiquities of Canterbury, with

large additions,) had imparted unto me several choice transcripts out of the records of that church of Canterbury, while I was writing archbishop Cranmer's Memorials. And the book being printed, and one of them presented to him, I desired him that he would take the pains to read it over with care, and to observe impartially, without favour or affection, what errors or faults he should discover therein, (as he was a man well known to be very studious and learned in such antiquities,) and I should take it kindly at his hands. Accordingly he favoured me with a letter, dated from Beaksborn, near Canterbury, in the year 1694, (the same year the book came forth;) wherein were these words: "That I having desired him to read my book with some "strict scrutiny, he had accordingly sent me some animad" versions upon some passages in it; which, as he added, "were no objections against any clause of my history, but only some observations to the story, and some small ca"vils, hardly worth taking notice of."

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The reverend Mr. T. B., S. Th. B., another of my correspondents, (well known for his learning, and great searches and knowledge in the history of this church and kingdom,) divers years ago, viz. an. 1707, (upon some occasion, in a private letter to me,) had these words: "I have not read "any books with more pleasure than I have done yours; "nor met with any thing that beareth more lively impres "sions of sincerity and truth: and it is that maketh me so "officious in serving you." I hope that reverend person will excuse me in thus openly using his name, declaring his good opinion of me, (especially upon this occasion,) for the preserving my good name to posterity, and reputation of what I have writ.

And when the book of the Life and Acts of Archbishop Parker, by me compiled, was propounded to be printed by subscription, anno 1709, I had the testimonial of several bishops, eminent as for their piety, so for their learning and knowledge of the history of this church, as followeth : - "Dec. 7, 1709. Whereas the learned Mr. Strype hath for"merly, with much faithfulness and skill, written the Life

"of Archbishop Cranmer, and other eminent persons, and "containing in them many original papers, relating as well to "the ecclesiastical as civil affairs of this realm; wherein the

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rights and supremacy of the crown are maintained, the "objections of papists confuted, and the piety, justice, and "wisdom of the first reformers defended: and whereas he " is now writing the Life of Archbishop Parker, in which "he hath further justified the reformation of the church of England, and given light, in a number of particulars, to "the history of it, which will be of true advantage to the "protestant cause and interest: we do therefore earnestly "recommend his useful and judicious labour to the learned,

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as being truly worthy of their favour and encouragement. "Signed, H. London, W. Lincoln, J. Ely, C. Norwich, "E. Gloucester, T. Chichester."

And I thank God, my reputation remains fair still: as appears by that favourable character lately given me by the present archbishops and bishops, upon my late publishing of the two former volumes of the Annals; set to the book by the printer, though contrary to my will, lest I might seem to affect vainglory.

But now to draw to a conclusion, as to my present undertaking. As the former volumes reached to near half of queen Elizabeth's reign, and have been received with general approbation, as an useful work, so I now offer the continuation of the history in a third volume, carried on in the same method, and supported with the same helps and instructions of original papers of state, records, and various other choice MSS. as the others were.

And therefore I doubt not but it will find the same acceptance; especially since there will be found in this volume divers curious historical remarks of affairs happening within this period of years: and particularly two grand emergences; viz. transactions with Mary queen of Scots, and chiefly the last proceedings with her; which will give greater and truer light into that unhappy event: and the other, the intended invasion of this land by the king of Spain's invincible armada, vainly so called; discovering

many passages thereof, not found in our printed histories. Also, in the relation (contained in this book) of the state of the reformed religion in this kingdom, are shewn many singular matters of note, and the wonderful success it had, notwithstanding the great opposition it met with from popish powers abroad, as well as zealots and the new reformers at home.

To conclude. As in my Ecclesiastical Memorials many ample accounts were given of the affairs and events of this church, and the state of religion under three princes, king Henry, king Edward, and queen Mary, successively, digested in three volumes; so I have endeavoured to continue them in three other volumes under Annals, commencing at the reign of the next succeeding princess, the glorious queen Elizabeth. And for some commendation of the usefulness of those Memorials and these Annals, I cannot but repeat what the late most reverend and pious Dr. Tenison, archbishop of Canterbury, said, when I presented my first volume of Annals to him; viz. "That Josephus Scaliger, that great scholar, told some of his learned "friends, that he liked Baronius better than Bellarmine; quoniam historia est: whereby matters of religion might "better be judged of than by controversial writings, as those "of Bellarmine were.'

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I must call this volume my last, (though indeed it reach not by divers years to the end of that queen's reign,) because it is the last conclusion of my labour therein; my great age and frequent infirmities disabling me from going further in this work. And I thank God, that hath lengthened out my life and strength beyond what I could have expected, to have gone so far as I have done; and that, I hope, not without some profit and use for promoting true religion, grounded upon the gospel, accompanied with unity, peace, and concord: which God grant.