It may be ſome Entertainment to a Genius of this Nature likewiſe, now, that we live in an Age of Peace and Tranquility (like Mariners that have happily eſcaped a Storm) to take a Review of the angry Main, whereon our Forefathers were toſſed; and to conſider by what Blaſts and Incitements the Sea came to Ferment, and its Billows to riſe to ſuch a prodigious Height at laſt.
Whether or no this Age is in any Danger of running into the like Confuſion, it may be an invidious Thing to ſuggeſt: But ſure I am, that no better Antidote can be preſcribed to the good People of England, against any ſuch contingent Evil, than what is offered in this little Book: For it is a received Obſervation, (founded upon the Experience of the Times we are now speaking of) that your Men of heavy and melancholick Complections are always moſt addicted to Sedition and Mutiny; ſuch, as are of a gay and merry Diſpoſition, are void of Gall and Diſcontent, and uncapable of harbouring the leaſt malevolent Thought againſt any Government.
’Tis not of more private Advantage therefore, than it is of happy Emolument to the whole Kingdom, and to the Eaſe and Tranquility of our Governours both
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