The Period of Human Life Continued, Title page – Preface
A DEFENCE AND CONTINUATION Of the Discourse concerning the PERIOD OF HVMANE LIFE.
BEING A Reply to a late Answer, Entituled, A Letter to a Gentleman, &c.
To which is added, AN APPENDIX, Wherein several Objections urged in private, are considered, and Mr. Gales severe, but groundless Charge is Examined.
LONDON, Printed, and are to be sold by Enoch Wyer, at the White Hart in St. Pauls Church-Yard, 1678.
THE PREFACE.
READER,
IF Custom had not made it common to prefix Epistles to Books, I had freely permitted thee to read the following Discourse without the trouble of a preliminary Salutation: but the truth is, I like not to be either Singular or Uncivil:
And yet, I confess I have but very little to acquaint thee with: for as I intend not to court your kind acceptance of the following Discourse, so neither do I designe to disparage it, or discourage thee from perusing it.
Only if I can prevail, I heartily wish thou wouldest read without prejudice, and with that Candor that becomes an impartial and discreet Reader: and then, either give, or deny it entertainment as you think fit; for I assure thee The Author desires to impose nothing upon thy faith, but what is able to abide the test. If he has erred, he is only ambitious to have no followers.
When I gave way to the publishing of the former Discourse, I expected not to have met with so many Enemies. But I see the old saying holds good, veritas odium parit. As for those severe censures some men have urged, I have endeavoured to remove them in the following Discourse, especially in the Appendix. For personal reflections (the only weapons others have made use of; although they be as Ignorant who I am, as I desire they should be,) these I may very rationally contemn, without the fear of censure from the strictest Zoilus.
I confess next to no adversary, a fair and ingenuous one is the most desirable; but whether it has been my Good fortune (or if you please to say Fate) to be blessed with such, after thou hast perused both what they and I say thou wilt be able to judge.
And upon this account (though not only) I heartily wish thou wouldest be pleased to compare the Reply and Answer, and both with the First Discourse, which accidentally (I assure thee not designedly) gave birth to them; in doing of which if thou reapest no advantage thy self, yet I am sure thou shalt oblige the Booksellers to give thee thanks.
FAREWEL.