"the Romans were enflamed "towards the Chriftian Faith: "fo we truft, that by Your "Glorious Endeavours, the "Mercy of GOD, will be manifested upon the Englifh Na

HERE is a noble Inftance of two truly Royal Ladies, promoting the Advancement of the Chriftian Faith. Another we have, highly memorable, in the Reftitution of that Faith from many Corruptions, by Your Illuftrious Predeceffor Queen Elizabeth. Which altho' it is an Argument that Your MAJESTY

has

has had fome great, and fhining Examples of Female Virtue, and Piety, going before You: yet it is the Comfort of Your Subjects, that you have nothing wanting in Your most Illuftrious Character, to equal all their Glories. Inafmuch as, what they did for the Introduction of the Chriftian Faith at first, and the Reformation of it when corrupted, we more than hope, with St. Gregory, will by Your MAJESTY be render'd compleat, in the future Security and lafting Establishment of the Church of Chrift, fo early planted, and purely reformed, in these Your MAJE

MAJESTY'S Dominions, in and with Bishops. May Almighty GOD, who has diftinguish'd Your MAJESTY'S Reign by fuch innumerable and fignal Blessings, and who continues yet daily to add fresh Laurels to Your Triumphs, finish all Your Succeffes in the Fruits of fo advantageous a Peace, as fhall be moft honourable, and durable: And may Your MAJESTY'S Life and Reign be long, to enjoy those Bleffed Fruits: in the united Thanks and Praises of all Europe, the entire and unalienable Affections of Your Subjects, and the Accomplishment of all a thofe

thofe Pious and Glorious Defigns, which Your Royal Inclinations have ever pursued. As this must needs be the Prayer of all Your Good and truly Chriftian Subjects; fo is it by no one offer'd up more ardently and conftantly to the Throne of Grace, than by,

May it pleafe Tour MAJESTY,

Your MAJESTY's most Loyal,

and Obedient Subject,

ELIZABETH ELSTOE.

i

THE

PREFACE.

Am

very apprehenfive of the Expectation of fome, and the Cenfure of or thers, who shall take this Treatife into their Hands: Thofe whofe good

Nature has inclined them towards a ny favourable Expectation from it, I should be very glad to find them, any way gratifyed with the Endeavours I have used to please them, In which I have employ'd much of my Defires: And as the more candid fort of Readers will, perhaps, be fogenerous as to think, I have also taken fome Pains. Those who are more addicted to Cenfure, will not be fo eafily fatisfyed. For in dealing with this fort of People, there are thefe great Obftacles to be conquer'd. Ignorance on one Hand, or an affectation of Wit and Knowledge on the other, Beth of which have their

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