Epistle to the reader

Summary

Reader,

In the time of our divisions, and the execution of God's judgements upon the three nations, I set my self to enquire into the causes of our sad and woeful condition, and to think of some remedies to prevent our ruin. Whilst I was busy in this search, I easily understood, that the subject of our differences was, not only the state but the church. This gave occasion to peruse such authors as write of government, and to study the political part of the holy Scriptures, wherein I found many things concerning the constitution, the adminstration, the corruption, the conversion and subversion of civil states and kingdoms, with much of church-discipline. There I observed certain rules of government in general, and some special, and proper to civil, or else to ecclesiastical polities. All these, accourding to my poor ability I reduced to method, and applied them to our own church and state severally. I further took notice of our principal differences both civil and ecclesiastical, and did freely deliver mine own judgement concerning the particular parties, and their opinions, yet so that I endeavoured to be of no party, as a party. And though in some things I differ from them, yet it was not out of singularity, or a humour of opposition, but out of an unfeigned desire of truth; which in many things I found so evident, that whatsoever should not acknowledge it, must needs be willful, and blinded with partiality or prejudice.