The Prefaee to theReaders. -arehalf of their mind, that keep upTome good reputati- on with the Orthodox ; and fo ftanding in Judgement and Interest between both, are th.e readyer to receive, and the more capable to hand up the Jealoufies of the rest. 4. Local diftance doth much difadvantage me : it being only thofe that know me not, or live not within the reach of my convene that feem offended : and fo I have not opportunity to give them that fitisfaaion, and mollifie their minds, as I doubt not but I fhould do, if I lived among them. 5 . It is an unhappy Age to fpeak any thing in, that feerneth new, or not common, though but in Method : there being fo many Herefies and wicked Dodrines of late fprung up amongus, and all under pre..' tence of aprogrefs inknowledge , and offurther light, that I cannot blame any wife and godlyman to be wary and cautelous what he doth receive. 6. Satan is an ene- my to all Truth, but efpecially to Uniting and Reforming Purifying Truths. 7. Though I offend, I muff fay that which cannot be hid. Divines are too few that are im- partially andjiligently itudious for Truth, and take not things upon prejudice and trust from aParty : And yet fewer that have ftrong Judgements , and are able to difcern it, though they do ftudy it : When they have followedon an enquiry a little way, and find that truth cloth like thebranches of a Tree, or the veins in mans body, go fmaller and diftind,then are they unable to fol- low it any further,and to fee the truth in fo fine a thred. I arrogate not this tomy felf, the want whereof I difcern in others : but yet I wonder oft at the confidence of fuch men : and can well fayas Attgufl.Epifl.29.Hieronymo. ildverfus eos quifibividenturfcire podnefciunt, hoc tutio- res fumus, goodhanc ignorantiam noltram non Ignoramus : Which is the fcope ofmuch ofmyApo'. againft Mr., .K. 3. I find my felf much injured by the exceffive eftima- ion
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