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Mantissa.
THis Treatise which hath lain dor∣mant by me for several years, was dispatch'd and put out of hand, before Mr. Dallee's book of the Writings of Dyonisius Areopagitae and Ignatius Antiochenus saw the light, and had it then passed the press (as it was very near to have done) I had been saved this labour, and no contest had happened between the very learn'd Dallee and my self. But coming to a view of it, when mine was adventuring into the world, I thought my self concerned to say somewhat (and much it shall not be) in vindication of the Epistles of that holy Martyr Ignatius, as being at least in part genuine, and not wholly supposititious; though it cannot be denied that both he and they have been not a little abused by bold and dis-inngenuous persons.
Having therefore perused what the perspi∣cacious Mr. Dallee hath done upon this subject, I find that therein he hath given sufficient proof of his singular learning, judgment and industry: And had his great pains been con∣fin'd to and level'd at, the further discovery of the vile injury that hath bern offered to the worthy monuments of that famous Martyr and primitive Pishop, and not the utter extin∣ction