THE PREFACE TO THE READER. I Courteous Reader, Here prefent you with an abstract of the Lives and Memoir's of the most famous and Illustrious PerSonages of this Realm, fince the Conqueft to this prefent time; for order Jake I have digefted it Alphabetically into the feveral Shires and Counties contained in this Kingdom; which I A 3 hope hope will find a kind acceptance, there being nothing of the fame method now Extant. Dr. Fuller in his large Hiftory in Folio, did go a great way in this matter, but here is included the Lives of many more eminent Heroes and generous Patrons, (which I hope their memory may furvive in fucceeding Ages) this being done with that brevity, which may be more beneficial to the Reader. Here you have the Original or rife of most of the Eminent Families in this Kingdom. Alfo, an Epitome of the most ma terial matters in Church and State, containing the Lives of the most Emi nent nent Fathers in the English Church, and the moft Flourishing Statesmen in the latter times; Alfo the most famous Authors, as well Divine as Hiftorical; together with the Lives of the moft Memorable Perfons in the Law, Mathematicks, Geographers, Afronomers, Poets, &c. which have made this Kingdom known throughout the World. I need not inlarge, or give any further Incomium upon this fubject, but referr you to the Table first, and then to the Book it felf, which I hope will find that kind acceptance, that may ingage me in fome further procedure that may please my Countrymen, which I fhall alwayes endeavour to do |
