To the Reader.

THou hast here (good Reader) a more easie, familiar, and perfect way to read English then ever was published; Wherein is not only contai∣ned a speedy and certain way for reading of English, but also for understanding of numbers, usual abbreviations, all manner of points, clear∣ly described in their names and uses; And generally all things usefull or incident to reading, so as the learner shall not need any other book for his help of reading but only this; which being perfectly learned, the learner shall be able to cast up any chapter of the Bible, and read it truely and perfectly, though he have never seen a Bible before: wherein the progresse will be very easie, being from letters to syllables and words of all sorts, first in order, then out of order, to prevent learning by rote. By which (with some directions which I shall be willing to im∣part) one that can read may perform what is here promi∣sed upon any of ordinary capacity, being desirous to learn; which directions are here altogether omitted, because the principall of them cannot be imparted but by word of mouth.

My genius indeed leads me so much to other studies, as that I could hardly afford my felfe any spare time to look after this, if my conscience did not tell me, that that can∣dle which the Lord hath lighted to me in this way, so bright beyond all that ever were before me, must not he put under a bushell, but on a candle stick, that so far as I Page  [unnumbered] am able, I may make it shine to all the world, especially to the place where my lot is cast. And indeed, when I seriously consider the fruits of my labours by this Method, and by my way of teaching the same, and the fruits of the labours of them that learned the same of me (who live comfortably by it, acting far beyond what others of the profession do, which is a testimony of the validity of the Method by which they do act) I can see no one thing be∣sides whereby I can benefit the Common-wealth more then by this, as I have found by experience. For some have come to me after spending many years at School, untill for stature and years they were ready to be prentices, but void of all other qualifications, whom in a short time I have considerably qualified in every kind. Others of age have for the space of some 12, some 16, some 20, and some more years together scarched diligently after reading of English, and not attained it in any measure, whom by Gods blessing I have brought to read the Scriptures truely in the space of a month. Reading of English is a ve∣ry easie thing; but the easie way is not as yet known of all.

But some may say, That such things may be performed upon those that are quick of apprehension; But there may be as small hopes of those that are dull, by that way as by another.

To whom I answer, I know nor do acknowledg no such thing as a dull person, either young or old; but (though there be degrees in that as in other things) all are capable; for I have taught those by this Method, who ne∣ver could be made to couceive any thing by the old way, to read the Bible perfectly in a short time: yea some who were very imperfect in speeking, I have made read plain before they couldspeak plain, who after have spoke as plain as others by practising reading after the way of this Me∣thod; and all in a short time, to the admiration of parents and others that did see and hear it, who will be ready to witness the same upon occasion.

So those that be called block-heads or dul, are much in∣jured, because the reasons do not proceed from themselves, Page  [unnumbered] but either from the carelesness of parents, who do not keep their children close to Schoole; or their too much in∣dulgency, that will not commit them wholly to the Tu∣tor; or from the rigor of a rigid cruell teacher; or from an irregular endless Method of teaching, of many years practise, and in the end no perfection; impossible to be comprehended of a tender-brained childe, and ther∣fore must be beaten in with rods and scourges, and what he gets must be deerly bought with blood and sweat, whereby he is discouraged, and his affections quite cru∣shed and withdrawen from all learning, and from Schoole, which turneth to be a grinding and tormen∣ting house unto him, and not a delight. And to teach one of discretion and years by these old jumbling ir∣regular wayes, is (just as one searching for the Philoso∣phers stone) to be ever searching, and never finding; as I have known by hundreds in my time, and never finding; as I have known by hundreds in my time, and never heard of one come to perfection; to the which I shall bring them in a monthes time with ease and delight to the learner. And as for young children, if they have an easie ingressi∣on by a pleasant Method, and a smiling Tutor, who in the first place laboureth to get into their affections, and to find out their dispositions, and follow them according thereto; Then will they run the way of their learning with alacrity, rejoycing in their loving Master, and tri∣umphing in their victories by their easie Method of read∣ing; every degree of progresse incouraging them to a fur∣ther advance: So that nothing shall be more pleasant then the School, nothing more delightfull then their Masters company.

This (good Reader) have I found by experience, and therefore I exhort thee, whether thou be Tutor or Parent, that thou prejudge not this Work as slight and inconside∣rable, untill thou hast well weighed those necessary directi∣ons that I have yet further to impart: whereby thou shalt find the same effects which I have found, who (I assure you) never met with any young nor old, desirous to learn, but I brought them to reading, unlesse it were the fault of the Parent, distrustfully pulling them away in the very Page  [unnumbered] nick of time, and but a very few of those: for, I beleeve (notwithstanding a combination of base people (for whose good I have hazarded my own undoing) suborned such as themselves, both private and publick, every one a∣cting according to their qualifications; some by subtle underminings, others (more shamelesse) by open pra∣ctices, endeavouring to subvert me, by polluting the ears of my honest Neighbours and Customers with the poyson of Asps which is under their tongues; yea, and deceived honest people, perswading them to run that course with them; who afterward seeing their base, wicked and unjust ends, were ashamed, and fell off from them. I know that there is no evill in the City but the Lord hath done it, who is holy and just in all his judgments, and will not punish without a cause, before whom I lay my hand upon my mouth, and acknowledge my self not a∣ble to answer one of a thousand of his judgments; but in regard of them, the righteous Lord judged righteously, and brought forth my righteousness as the sun, and disap∣pointed them of all their wicked and unjust plots.) I be∣leeve (I say) none of my profession have met with more honest customers then I have done, who notwithstanding these things, have trusted me, and do not repent when they see their children so perfect of the English, and can give so good accompt of their proceeding in Latine in so short a time; and see the vast difference between those that have been removed from me for a time, and these who have been constant with me.

These my endeavours (Reader) I recommend to thee and to all Parents of children, and my brethren of the pro∣fession, wishing from my heart that you were acquainted with them in the effects as I am, that you might accept of them, and make use of them; so shall I find reward in my labours, and rest thy friend,