An advertisement to the READER.

THe truth and triall of this treatise carefull
Reader may I hope the better be
accepted without distrust or distaste,
because it hath passed thorow the fire,
fanne and furnace of two iudicious and
learned Divines, whom for honours
sake, I am bound to mention vnto thee. The one is the
Reverend and worshipfull Mr Tho: Goad, Dr of Divinitie,
by whose labour this worke is carefully corrected,
and iudiciously supplied, where it might offend through
want or weaknesse, in any part or power of it: his starres
or his spits that I may vse Origens notes haue beene
welcome to this my Tractate. I expected his vnpartiall
sentence, and he hath done iustly to shut his friend out of
doores, while this worke was discussed. Know therefore
with me good Reader by whom thou hast profited, and
be thankfull. The other is Mr Alexander Richardson,
now deceased, to whom I haue done the office of a Christian
brother, in raysing vp seed to the dead, to continue his
name, that his memory and worth might not be put out of
Israel. This skilfull Artist hath cast and coyned the heads,
and I would to God he had handled them before his death.
Some few specialties are vpon necessary cause altered, but

A

they are of so small moment, that they make no great
breach in the body, neither in thy knowledge in viewing
of the order and methode of Religion. I know if the discourse
as well as the heads had proceeded from the same
hand, they would haue beene more accurate and perfect.
A shaft shot by the hand of a Gyant, and a childe differ
much; yet will I not in a fond admiration, and apish imitation
of any person make all his deeds and doctrines like
the reflection of a looking glasse, to frame all thoughts and
things by his shadow. This were but to catch Doterels,
and shew feats by actiuitie, to deceiue the simple. Againe,
if some little thing be censured in the first inventor, I hope
they that loue him, will not thinke, as good friends as they
deale with him, like Gnatts, which after they haue made
a sweete kinde of Musicke, euermore sting before they
depart. I feare not thy profit in it, if thou wilt submit
both it and thy selfe to the true touch-stone, I meane the
sacred Scriptures; otherwise with Perillus thou mayest
perish in thy owne inventions, and thine owne cunning at
the last will fayle thee, and leaue thee as Absolons
Mule left his rebellious Master betweene heauen and
earth. Consider therefore what is said, and the Lord
giue thee vnderstanding in all things, that thou mayest be
no lesse wise, then good. Amen.