The PREFACE. ref of worldly wealth and power, nor to permit them by f riving, who fall feem GREATEST, WISEST and BEST, to become the incendiaries of the Church and world, and the perferutors of the belt that cannot fërve their worldliu:ef and pride. TheReader muff Note, i. That though muchof the Hory'be taken fromothers, the Councils are named andnumbred according to Binnius and Crabbe : 2.And that becaufe lb much evil is neceffarily recited, I thought it needful in the beginning and end to annexa defence of the Paftors and their office and work, left any f ould be tempted to think hardly of Religionand theChurchfor mew abufes. 3. And if Micre- lius, Gutlerbeth, Phili Pareus, Funcius, Cation, Melan&hon, Bu- chotzer,Scultetus,Pezelius,Helvicus, oranyotherthat Ihavefeen, had anfwered the ends which Ihere intend, IJbeuld havegladlyPaved myfelf this labour andhave refer'd the reader to them. TheCouncils are nowpublifbed voluminoufly, and many youngfiudents want money and time to read them at large. Tofuch this abridgement may not be unufeful efpecially to men that have maken the cafeof the great hereffes and hereticators, and would knowwhatPrelacy andCoun- cils have done to the concord or difiordof the Churches. The Deferip= tion oftheState of Alexandria recited in the beginning asa Letterfrom a.friend, wasfrom Mr.Clerkfon aLearnedandworthy Minifer (though ftlenced) now inLondon. TheLord pardon and heal our common faultinefs, and give better Teachers to his Churches when we are dead and gone, who will take warning by all our errours and mifcarriages, efpecially to efeapea weirdly fpirit,pride,Church- tyranny andfchifm, and feerving the world, thefell" and the Devil, by pretence of AuthorityfromChriff. Amen. March31. í680. London; What
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