daughters, and a widow, the daughter of Richard Seys, Esq., of Boverton, in Glamorganshire. The motto under his coat of arms is "Labor ipse Voluptas," which has been thought to be chosen by him with great propriety, as being the characteristic quality of his nature.

Mr. Orme in his "Bibliotheca Biblica," speaking of our author and his works, observes, "Mr. Locke, who was Lord King's uncle, left him one half of his library, and he evidently inherited a large portion of the penetration and liberality of mind, as well as of the books, of the philosopher. Few authors are more worthy of being consulted; the original authorities are always quoted, and great candour and liberality are invariably displayed. His works contain a large portion of valuable and accurate learning."

PREFACE.

THE design of the following treatise is, in general, to represent the constitution, discipline, unity, and worship of the primitive church, that flourished within the first three hundred years after Christ; but more particularly and especially to describe their opinions and practices with respect to those things that are now unhappily controverted between those of these kingdoms who are commonly known by the names of Church of England men, Presbyterians, Independents, and Anabaptists; for which reason it comes to pass, that to those points concerning which there is no difference among us, I have not spoken so largely as otherwise I might have done; and some other customs of theirs I have not mentioned at all, because now neglected and disused by us.

What I have written as to this subject I have wholly collected out of the genuine and unquestionably authentic writings of those ages, that are now extant, making use of no other writings whatever, except the ecclesiastical history of Eusebius, which was written in the beginning of the fourth age, and relates only those affairs that were transacted in the three former; beyond the period of which time this inquiry doth not reach, but is wholly limited thereby, and confined thereunto. That which has been thus collected, has been done, I hope, with the greatest impartiality and fidelity, without any prepossession of mind, or any fraudulent dealing whatsoever, which the reader may the sooner believe, and the easier be convinced

of, since, for the clearer demonstration of my faithfulness and unprejudicedness herein, I have taken care to print in the margin the original words of all the passages that I have cited, at least of all that are necessary, together with the very pages whence I fetched them, that so the reader, turning to the pages mentioned in those editions that I use, (which editions I shall set down at the end of this preface,) and finding it according to my quotations, may the more readily be persuaded that throughout this whole tract I have been every way honest and unbiassed.

And as I have faithfully and impartially collected these observations, so I have as modestly and unconcernedly represented them, avoiding all words or speeches that might seem to carry the least sharpness or reflection in them, but have nakedly expressed them, declining all affected or pompous expressions, contenting myself with those terms that most naturally serve to render the truth more perspicuous and evident, according to the observation of Clemens Alexandrinus, "He that would deliver the truth, ought not studiously to affect an elegancy of expression, but only to use such words whereby he may render what he means intelligible."*

Whether all, or some, or none, of the following primitive customs may be changed by the civil magistrate, or by a convocational assembly, I pretend not here to handle ; my design at present is only to search into matter of fact, to find out what were the usages of the ancient church within the first three hundred years after Christ; for, as was said before, no lower do I intend to go; which, after the most impartial and serious inquiry, I find to be according to the ensuing treatise, in the penning whereof

* Δει τὸν ἀληθείας κηδόμενον ἐκ ἐξ ἐπιβούλης καὶ φροντίδος τὴν φράσιν συνθεῖναι, πειρᾶσθαι δε ὀνομάζειν μόνον ὡς δύναται, ὃ βέλε Tal. Stromat. lib. 2, p. 263.

I have avoided all prolixity and tediousness, and for that end omitting to answer several objections that I know may be made against several things which I have here asserted; my intention being briefly and perspicuously to prove what I judge to be the true practice of the primitive church as to those points now disputed by us.

As for the occasion of my publishing this treatise, it cannot be imagined to proceed from a spirit of vanity or ambition, since I so far conceal my name as that even my bookseller knows not who I am; much less, I hope, will it be construed by any to proceed from a spirit of contention and animosity, from an ill design to foment and increase our present feuds and divisions; since, I assure the whole world, our unnatural quarrels do so much afflict and trouble me, as that I would sacrifice not only this book, but also all that I either am or have, if thereby I might be a happy instrument to compose and heal them. But among other reasons these two were the chiefest that swayed me hereunto,-to inform others; and to inform myself to inform others what the practices of the primitive apostolic churches were, if any shall be inquisitive and desirous to know them; or, if I am mistaken, (as who is without his errors?) to be better informed myself: which, I must needs confess, was that which I chiefly designed in the publication hereof: wherefore without any ostentation or challenging, but unfeignedly and sincerely to prevent mistakes in my younger years, I humbly desire, (if the request be not too bold,) and shall heartily thank any learned person that will be so kind as to inform me if he knows me to have erred in any one or more particulars, which he may do, either publicly, or, if he think fit, privately, by letter to my bookseller; who will convey it safely to my hands and if any one that finds me deceived in any one or more points will favour me so far as to undertake such a trouble, I should desire these few

:

things of him that he would be pleased, as I have done, to use only those writings that were composed within my prescribed time, and, if possible, the same editions; and not only to form objections against what I have written, but also to answer, or rather to give me another sense of those passages which I have cited; and then I promise, if my mistakes are fairly shown, I will not pertinaciously and obstinately defend them, but most willingly and thankfully renounce them, since my design is not to defend a party, but to search out the truth.

I have but one thing more to add in this preface, and that is, that when I first resolved on the printing of this treatise, I designed to have published my observations on the fourth general head propounded in the title-page to be inquired into, viz., "the worship of the primitive church," as well as now I have done those on the three former, but for some reasons I have reserved this for a particular tract by itself; which probably, though I do not absolutely promise it, may in a little time more be also published; and that the rather, because in this part I have made two or three references thereunto, which I thought good to acquaint the reader with, that so, if he cannot find some things that I have referred to in this treatise, he may be assured they are to be met with in the ensuing one.

*

*The "Observations on the Worship of the Primitive Church," above spoken of, forms Part II. of the present volume.