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To the Christian Reader, sauing Grace.
READER, accept this imperfect worke with as thankefull an hand, as it is offered with afaithfull hart: if any thing in it please thee, giue God the praise; let none of his glory cleaue to vs earthen Instru∣ments.
Si quid in hoc (Lector) placet, assignare memento Id Domino, quicquid displicet, hocce mihi.
I cannot expect, or hope for in this criticall Age, but that this Booke will fall into the hands of Carpus, as Paul left his Cloake, Bookes, and Parchments with him at Troas: 2 Tim. 4. 13. Yet a∣gainst the scourge of maleuolent tongues, I am armed with patience, and doe put on the resolution of Epictetus, Si recte facis, quid eos vereris qui non recte reprehendunt, If thou doest well, what nee∣dest thou feare them who say ill? and as Martiall said to Laelius;
Carpere vel noli nostra, vel ede tua.
And there are many enuious drones, who neither like to labour themselues, or loue that others should bring any hony to Hiue: but, Vindico me ab illis Solo contemptu: Among the Popish Sectaries this worke will find an harsh incounter; yet God is my Record, I haue not (to my knowledge) wronged them, their owne writings, Axioms, and Actions, haue (as it were with a line) chalked mee out the way, wherein I haue walked. The Romish Iesuites I know will raile, and rage at it, whose censure I regard, not as Cicero censured of a Gen∣tlewomans dancing; The better the worse: but of their censure I say, The worse, the better: Malis displicere, laudari est saith Seneca, to displease ill men, finds praise with good men.
Onely I craue a fauourable and friendly acceptance of the iudici∣ous, sober, and indifferent Reader, acknowledging this labour requi∣red more maturity, retired, and second thoughts, then my publick and priuate paines in my ministery could affoord me: so that, Festinans ca∣nis