IT were well , if , what once the tongue of the Athenian Crier did to euery Orator , the language of Authority would , to euery Babbler ; Inter dicere , ne praefatione & affectibus uterentur , & lubere , ut rem mod● exp●●●rent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; A law indeed , which notwithstanding by a necessary disobedience , I must now both approue , and violate ; for I confesse , that in excusing my selfe , I had rather hazard the vncertaine censure of this ostentation , then by concealing an indifferent truth , sit down to a certaine discredit . Know therefore Reader ( for I care not who does ) that when I made the first onset vpon this Exercise , it was my desire rather to see what I could doe ▪ then care what I did ; for with the iust expences of a moneths time & labour , I digested the whole body of this History into a perfect frame . I must confesse my way was hard , and my time as short ; insomuch , that by the very transcribing of so compleat a Volume in such a space , my ●and her selfe seem'd to earne a commendation . But withall I must acknowledge , that since , I was faine to adde the discretion of my second thoughts , to correct and regulate some grosse absurdities ; which notwithstanding was such , as that it spo●e onely in interlinings , and marginall references , and not added the supplement of one sheet to encrease the former bulke . Hauing thus lickt it so farre , to make it worth the reading , that I made it almost impossible to be read , ( as I first began it , to ease the troublesome request of a priuate friend , so now ) I rendred it vp into his hands , to punish him with a peru●all . But it seemes , when the respects of loue and friendship blin●e the iust censure of a iudicious eie ▪ there , weake endeauours may finde both entertainment and acceptance . Thus fell it out with me ; for , ( although the conscience of my own imperfections could bequeath it no better light , then that that should consume it ) it pleased him to thinke it worth a brighter , this of the worlds ; so that I , ( whose conscience and duty bound me to an equall obseruance of his Desire , with other mens Commands ) was forced now againe to fashion my collected errours for the Presse ; desiring to publish rather my obedience to my Friend , then name to the World . Then might I haue iustly and boldly said , what Erasmus once did vpon his Edition of Saint Ieromes Workes , — Vnum illud & verè dic●m & audacter ; minoris arbitror Hieronym● suos constitisse libros conditos , quàm nobis restitutos : & paucioribus vigilijs apud illum natos fuisse , quam apud nos renatos . For I may well auerre , that the very reviewing of my Paines , exceeded the Paines which I reviewed , by so much the more , as it is easier to commit a fault , then to finde it , once committed .

If this serue for an excuse , I cra●e acceptance at thy hands , if not , forgiuenesse ; but if thou be not pleased to giue , then exchange a courtesie , which is nought but this ; for my defects , let me haue thy pardon ; and for my deserts , I 'le dispence with thy commendation . Farewell .