TO THE MOST REVEREND

Father in Christ and Lord, Lord

GILBERT,

By Divine Providence, Archbishop

of Canterbury, Primate and Metropolitan of all England; and to our most August Sovereign

CHARLES II, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland,

of the Privy Council.

The Sidleian Professor, and (what is a happier prerogative of the title) Your Client, casts himself once more at Your feet (most Honorable Prelate); moved by this sole ambition, to render to You an account of the office which he received by Your concession and favor; as well as that our studies, and this labor, whatever it may be, might choose for themselves the same Arbiter and Patron, whom they boast to be their Author. Indeed, I fear that by repeating this duty I might appear importunate—