Church-history of the government of bishops and their councils abbreviated including the chief part…

The Reader must Note, 1. That though much of the History be taken from others, the Councils are named and numbered according to Binnius and Crabbe: 2. And that because so much evil is necessarily recited, I thought it needful in the beginning and end to annex a defence of the Pastors and their office and work, lest any should be tempted to think hardly of Religion and the Church for mens abuses. 3. And if Micrelius, Gutlerbeth, Phili Pareus, Funcius, Carrion, Melanchthon, Buchotzer, Scultetus, Pezelius, Helvicus, or any other that I have seen, had answered the ends which I here intend, I should have gladly saved my self this labour and have referred the reader to them.

The Reader must Note, 1. That though much of the History be taken from others, the Councils are named and numbred according to Binnius and Crabbe: 2. And that because so much evil is necessarily recited, I thought it needful in the beginning and end to annex a defence of the Pastors and their office and work, lest any should be tempted to think hardly of Religion and the Church for mens abuses. 3. And if Micrelius, Gutlerbeth, Phili Pareus, Funcius, Carion, Melancthon, Buchotzer, Scultetus, Pezelius, Helvicus, or any other that I have seen, had answered the ends which I here intend, I should have gladly saved my self this labour and have refer'd the reader to them.

The Councils are now published voluminously, and many young students want money and time to read them at large. To such this abridgement may not be unuseful; especially to men that have mistaken the case of the great heresies and hereticators, and would know what Prelacy and Councils have done to the concord or discord of the Churches. The Description of the State of Alexandria recited in the beginning as a Letter from a friend, was from Mr. Clerkson a Learned and worthy Minister (though silenced) now in London.

The Lord pardon and heal our common faultiness, and give better Teachers to his Churches when we are dead and gone, who will take warning by all our errors and miscarriages, especially to escape a worldly spirit, pride, Church-tyranny and schism, and serving the world, the flesh and the Devil, by pretence of Authority from Christ. Amen.