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WHEN I first debated and re∣solued with my self to write this small Treatise, diuers obsta∣cles and hinderances rose vp and stood before mee, ready to take my hand from the Pa∣per, as mine insufficiency in Art, and my disability to instruct others, which stand in neede my selfe of a continuall instruction; but taking a more strict Sur∣uey both of mine owne fee∣lings, and other sufferance, I found me entered so farre
within the compasse of a known and approued experi∣ence; that howsoeuer there might be rudenesse or rough∣nesse in my labour; yet doubt∣lesse there should not want truth nor profit. Truth, which might adorn & beau∣tifie those weake Buildings, which are often shak't wi h the Stormes and Tempests of these worldly casualties; and Profit, which might inrich and support the minde, when at any time it beganne to de∣cline or bend vnder the griping hand of that which wee call Misfortune. This expe∣rience of euils became vnto me both a spurre to set mee
forward in that Cariere which I haue now finisht (in this little Booke:) and also an Armor to defend me against the Bitings and Bitternesse both of Curiosity & Censure.
A Patron or Protector to the Work I durst not assume; first, in respect I held it much too hūble for those which are both Great and Good; and next, in respect I knew it much and precious for those which are euill, proud and disdain∣full. Bookes now adayes (for the most part) come to their Patrons like Citations, from which men couet to shrinke and hide themselues; or else like Briefes, which howsoeuer
they exhort to Charitie, yet they find few charitable: now that neither of these effects may worke vpon this, I send it thus naked into the world, and indeed would onely haue it beare it selfe, of it selfe. De∣dications which come from loue, many mistake, and those mistakings breed Grudgings not Gratitudes: those which proceed from desire of Gaine, are sordid and Base, and how∣soeuer they may bee gilded o∣uer, yet the poison of contempt is easie to bee tasted. Both these also I will now shunne, and onely wish them that are sicke and stand in neede, to try my Physicke; those which
are in health and sound, may stay till disease come vp∣on them: those which are in∣different, that is, halfe sicke, halfe sound, may (if they please) try some Medicines: there is no doubt but they wil worke much, either to con∣firme, or at least to procure a preuention. I haue tryed thē, must loue them; for I haue re∣couered by them. They which excercise the like, will (no doubt) find the like: they which are fearefull and dare not; or foolish and will not, let them still liue and languish; for they are neither worthy of Fathers, Mothers, no nor any good Physicians blessing.
Thine G. M.