TO THE READER.

THE Lands of Bishops and Cathedrals, being put to sale, there remain∣eth nothing to support a sinking Ministry but Parochial Tithes; and upon these the eyes of Avarice and Rapine were so strongly fixt, that all en∣deavours to preserve them were almost grown desperate. The Horseleach and her Daughters in the book of Proverbs are always on the craving hand; nothing but Give, Give, to be heard amongst them. Non mis∣sura cutem nisi plena cruoris hirudo, in the Poets lauguage. When they have once tasted the sweets of blood, they never lose their hold till full, and when full, not satisfied. The Prey when brought within the view must be hunted close. And to this end the Anabaptists on the one side, and the Adjutators on the other so be∣stirred themselves, that Petitions against Tithes were hammered in all parts of the King∣dom, the Parliament continually vexed with their importunities, the vulgar Landhol∣ders fool'd into an opinion that they should have those Tithes themselves which be∣fore they paid unto the Clergy; the common Tradesman and Artificer which had none to pay, opening as wide as any of the rest to make up the Cry. In this Conjuncture of Affairs, Anno 1648. I published a short and plain Discourse, entituled, The Unde∣ceiving of the People in the point of Tithes, under the name of Ph. Treleinie, the letters of my own name being transposed into that in the way of Anagram. For though I was then sequestred from my Church-preferments, in a condition rather of paying than receiving Tithes, and consequently could have no Self-ends in it, as the case then stood: yet I was fearful lest the work of avowed for mine, should be neglected as the pro∣duct of corrupted Interests of one that wholly advocated for his own concernments. What benefit redounded by it unto some, what satisfaction unto others, I had rather thou shouldst hear elsewhere than expect from me. All I shall add now is but this, that I hope it will not be less profitable unto them that read it, nor read by any with more prejudice and disaffection, now I acknowledg it for my own, than when it came before them in a borrowed name; and so fare thee well.