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The PREFACE clearing the way through this Treatise, and the READERs un∣derstanding, touching the proceedings in Parlia∣ment, the clearnesse of the Lawes and Iustice therein; his Knowledge also of the times, and cleare WILL of GOD, and what Israel ought to do, notwithstanding the con∣tradictions of sinners, and crosse wils of Malignant Men.
Reader,
I Ʋnderstand well the use and Law of a Preface, it should containe no more, but what could not be put into the booke; that is observed here. And yet it will be very large, and that I could not helpe. I have an hundred sheets tending much the same way this Treatise goes; If a Providence should call forth, all or any part of it; I might trouble thee with an Epistle, but never more with a Preface. How willingly I would have forborne it here. I know, and God knows; but then I strongly conceived: I had left thee in the darke; but now I shall shew thee the way in much clearenesse, if thou wilt not blind-fold thy selfe, and render thee in the close, a Thankefull man, This is the tendency and purpose of all this: And so, that thou mayest reade with profit, understanding what thou readest, and then shew thy selfe an understanding man; I shall endeavour to cleare the way before thee, and give thee cleare resolution to the mat∣ters in debate, some more easie and quickly resolved; other some more hard and admitting more contention;
1. Touching the Person, who offers Thankes, that is easily clea∣red.
2. Then the Thank-offering, there will be the knots, for Collegiate men, the Eyes of the Land, these are set against it, and, some say, the Law also; we must examine their reasons, and cleare the proceedings