ΤΟ ΤΗΕ

READER.

I

T is not the Respect for the Reformer of thefe Devotions, which I acknowledge to be very great, nor any Thoughts of advantaging the Bookfeller, for which I write this Preface, but a pure, and unintereffed Defire to give fome Account, and Character of this Book, which, in one Drejs or other, hath been fent Abroad no less than Twelve times into the World.

It hath had Four Editions unreform'd from the Roman Catholicks, in the last of which is added, The Office for the Blef fed Virgin, which J. S. in the Epistle Dedicatory before the Second Edition, affures us, was begun by the excellent Author before he died, who intended to annex it to his Devotions; and truly, I cannot but wonder, who he was that durft undertake to finif a Piece, that this Apelles left imperfect, especially after fo great a Judge of Senfe, and Stile as Mr. S. had faid, that was fo inimitably excellent, that fearce would be found, in all Refpe&ts,

any

A 2

It

able

able to match his Senfe and Expreffion, or finish it as it ought. It hath had Five Editions more, as it was reform'd by the Reverend and Worthy Mr. Dorrington, and a great part of it hath had divers other Editions in ftollen Books of Devotions, whofe Mercenary Authors have wifely conceal'd their Names, left their plagiary Practices should be prov'd upon them. It now prefents it felf the Third time, in a new Reform, unto the World, in which I do not doubt, but it will yet have many more Editions, and, perhaps, as many as any Book of Devotion, in what Language foever, except the Pfalter, ever had. For though Mr. Dorrington's Reform of it hath very well deferved the good Reception it hath found, yet it was not altogether fo acceptable to fome difcerning, as well as devout Perfons, who were skilful in Divine Offices, and curious in the Theory, as well as conftant in the Practice of Devotions. Among these I have known not a few, who chose to mark with their Pencils whatever was amifs in the unreform'd Devotions, that they might use them for their own private Benefit in the Author's own Method, rather than in that of Mr. Dorrington, which, in their Judgment, was not fo inflaming, nor fitted for

the

the great, and delightful Benefit of Social Devotions, for which the Divine Author (fo I cannot but call him feemed prinsipally to contrive his Book, tho' it is no lefs fit for Solitary Devotions, than that of Mr. Dorrington is.

Befides, they objected,that Mr. Dorrington had contracted the Four daily Offices into Two, that he had omitted the Leffons; as many of which as are Canonical Scripture,the devout Author of this Reform hath continued in the Verfion of the Church of England; that he had not reformed the Office for the Dead; that in the Other he had left out many Things, which they think as useful as any he had taken in, together with the Verficles, Refponfories, and Antiphons, as Such; which, with the Pfalms make up that alternate way of Devotion,which, as being the moft edifying, and excellent way of Worship, was used in the best and pureft Ages of Chrianity, and truly refembles the Worship and Devotions of the great Choir of Saints, and Angels in the Church Triumphant, that moft glorious Jerufalem, which is above.

Wherefore to oblige thofe devout Perfons, who defired another Reformation of those Devotions, another is here prefented to them in the Author's own Way, from the Pen of a most Pious, as well as Ingenious, and Ready

A 3

Ready Writer, who hath not left out, or altered any thing, but fome few Sentences, and Expreffions, which hinder'd thofe Offices from being introduc'd into the Closets, and Oratories, of the more devout Sons, and Daughters of the Church of England, efpecially of thofe who delight in the more Heaven-like Way of Worship; I mean in: alternate, or Choral-like Devotion,which it is in the Power of every devout Mafter, or Mistress of a Family, or any Two or more Religious Perfons, who happen to live in the fame House, or Neighbourhood, or to travel together in the fame Journey, to exercife themfelves in at vacant Times, to the Honour of God, whom they delight to Worhip; the Comfort, and Satisfaction of their own Confciences,when they find their Souls fo quickned and delighted in bearing their Parts in fuch harmonious Devoti ovs; nay,to the anfpeakable inward joy, and Exultation of the immortal Spirits within them, which have ravishing Foretastes of Heaven in thofe Heaven-like Exercises, which make this Life much more than Solitary Devotions, refemble that, which is

to come.

But of all others, none have it in their Power to practife this most delightful way of Worship in the Heaven-like Fellowship

of