To the Most Serene and August Charles II,
by the grace of God, King of Great Britain,
France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc.
Most Serene King,
I have undertaken to collect with discrimination commentaries upon the Sacred Text, commentaries widely scattered in the writings of many illustrious authors, and to bring them together into modest volumes. For this undertaking, I most humbly call upon Your Majesty as Patron. Indeed, I labor to bring forth a work, which, with respect to the obscurity of the author, is insubstantial, but, with respect to the subject matter, is most weighty and suitable to be dedicated to a king, but especially to King Charles. The interpretation of the very Word of God, the God by Whom kings reign,[1] is certainly worthy of a king: and especially of that King, in whose life we see renewed the many wonders of which we read in the Word. The divine will is displayed to the human race by means of a twofold system: by means of Providence, through which He governs all things; and by means of the Scriptures, through which He teaches men. Your Majesty stood forth as a most clear example of heavenly Providence: You are the Divine Custodian of the Sacred Books. May the most excellent and great God cause it to be that, by what favor of Providence you have begun to reign, by the same You might reign most lastingly; and that the Sacred Book, defended and kept in the land under the auspices of Your Crown, might requite to you an everlasting crown, but at a later time, in heaven.
This is the most earnest prayer of Your Majesty’s most humble and most indebted subject and servant,
Matthew Poole.
[1] Proverbs 8:15. See also Daniel 2:21; 4:17; Romans 13:1.