The censors censured, in a brief discourse to which is adjoyned the authors letter to an anti-episcopal minister concerning the government of the church : written in the year 1651, but not printed till now.

To the READER,

Courteous Reader,

ALthough the many Books which have been already printed in de∣fence of Episcopacy, may seem not only to forestal the credit, but to evacuate the use of future Impressions, about the same sub∣ject; yet considering the messe of Confederate Brethren, who are sworn to oppose it, which (being an Oglio of all Sects) is of far greater dimension then the defendant party. I presumed it would not amount to the reckoning of a vanity to enter with my unkeen weapon into the same field: which (though unworthy to be mustered with those for∣ces of wit, that fight for victory) may serve (like

the attendants of an Army) to face the enemy. It is the fate of truth for its naked simplicity to be as little known, as trusted, with earthly inhabitants: whereas errour, clothed with glosing variety, finds not only acceptation, but maintenance in the hearts of most. What Gangrenes of Heresies, and fret∣ting sores of schismatical opinions have infested the body of our National Church? since Bishops (the ministerial preservers thereof in soundnesse of Do∣ctrine) were first divorced from their office, as the History of former ages can yield no examples to parallel, so (being by Satans subtilty heightned to an exquisite degree of wickednesse) the possible corruption of succeeding times, will want inventi∣on to excel. Such was the sudden growth of gree∣dy innovations in the black art of enmity, against their ancient guides, that experience hath proved them to be a true exception to the Philosophers saying, Nemo repente fit turpissimus. And if their master, who raised them to the pinacle of prefer∣ment, had not thrown them down headlong by a timely temptation, they would have all turned conceited Monarchs, and not lookt over, but for the Kingdomes of the earth. It will be as much shame hereafter to report, as it is now grief to re∣member

the fiery generation of those meteors o•• men, which (rising by the fall of our great stars) have vapoured from the Regions both of pulpit and presse, into the houses of the honourable, and musty Cottages of the basest people, deluding them into such a lamentable deviation from their right principles, that the greatest part of them (like benighted Drunkards) are not yet able to finde the way home. The consideration whereof doth offer us so much occasion, to pity the dangerous estate of their diseased souls, that I could wish no better successe to attend this work, then that, by detecting the malignant distemper of their faults, it may become a direction for their recovery. But knowing that habituated Crimes will not readily yield to a seperation from the subjects that possesse them, and that custome in sin, (holding reason in bondage to the dominion of sense) doth seldome nauseate the sinner to a detestation thereof. I am disposed to doubt, that the event will be unan∣swerable to the scope of my desire. However the chiefest Part of this Book being written in time of persecution, when Tyranny had stated the Tribes of all honest men in a fitter capacity of receiving wrongs then giving reasons, I shall not now dis∣own

the exposing thereof to publick view, though it happen to make a fermentation of humours in the cholerick stomacks of our English Pharisees. For being set forth with the same intention where∣with it was first penned, more to declare my wil∣lingnesse to approve, then ability of mind to de∣fend the right of Episcopal Government. It may not be coujectured to be composed with confi∣dence to confute those that deny, but out of love to confirm them who believe the same.

To thee therefore, Gentle Reader, whosoever thou art of this number, do I principally dedicate this my labour, wherein if thou apprehend no∣thing deserving thy condemnation, but the truth of my affection to the welfare of the Church, it will be applause enough to satisfie the expectation of

Thy well-wishing friend, HUGH EDMONDS.