Logoi eukairoi, essayes and observations theologicall & morall. Wherein many of the humours and diseases of the age are discovered, and characteriz'd: divers cautions and directions præscribed for the avoidance of their infection, and the promotion of their cure. Together with some meditations & prayers adjoyn'd, serving to the same purpose. / By a student in theologie.

To the indifferent Reader.

I Hold it very un∣necessary to make an apology for coming forth in print: if the book do not that for the Author, 'tis past the power of his Epistle. Nei∣ther have I altogether so much charity beyond dis∣cretion as to believe the ut∣most of all excuses writers make for them selves, and thinke I have some cause to suspect, that what some say [Their widdow's mite is not to be contemned, That a desire to

doe good according to that little a man has ought favourably to be accepted, That they durst not hide their single talent, though they acknowledge how small that is, and the like] may have more of form in them then of trueth divers times; & that if these modest mejosies were converted into the plain sense of their secret thoughts, they would salute the Readers eare in another style, I shall not therefore provoke my Reader to passe the same sentence on me, which I have on others, but shall freely acknowledge

that a Cacoethes scribendi had some mixture with my more justifiable inducements to this work; which if thou desirest furthar to be satisfied in, take this account. Having often in the diversion of my studies (For I must tell thee they are much of another nature) occasionally glanced upon some such considerati∣ons, & a long time as lightly passed from them, I began at length to question whether I were not injurious to my Genius, or rather a superiour benevolence to bury such thoughts in their concepti∣on?

Musing a while here∣on, I found at length that what was so easily represen∣ted was not as easily recal∣led, and that I had cause to suspect that possibly whilst I laboured with more in∣tention to gather grapes of thornes, I might loose figges ready to drop into my mouth. Hereupon I used more providence for the future, and as I had such a thought suggested, I present∣ly committed it to paper. At length upon a review I con∣ceited them such (for I will not conceale this weaknesse from thee) as might perhaps

not without some profit be sent to the Presse, and so I gave them my Inprimantur. Thus Reader thou hadst my designes, and my motives thereunto in their true co∣lours. I confesse I had ra∣ther be accounted a foole, than an hypocrite, and yet rather be accounted a hypo∣crite, than be one. That I subjoyn'd a caution now and then, was because I fea∣red divers in this age to re∣semble the Thornes David mentioned at his last, that cannot be taken with [bare] hands but the man that touch∣eth them must be fenced with

iron &c: and if the courte∣ous Reader think the like wanting in other places, I desire his charity to believe them understood. And now if I can perceive that these few notions procure any Christian the least advan∣tage, as I pray God they may, I shall not be quite disani∣mated either by the harsh censure from others, which I expect, or the condemna∣tory sentence of rashnesse & precocity, which I am more sure of from my selfe; but shall think it a businesse not wholly to be repēted of, that another has been benefitted

though by my indiscretion. Lastly, if this hope faile me (yet I hope not) I have one more in reserve, and that is to be edifyed my selfe by hearing and seeing my Book laught at; which that thou may'st the more free∣ly do (if thou thinkest it de∣serves it) I shall not tell thee my name, but am

Thy Servant.