x THE PREFACE. 



some things for my present purpose. By the favour also 

 of my right honourable and right reverend Diocesan 

 Henry Lord Bishop of London, I have had access to the 

 Registry of the Bishops of London: where I was kindly 

 received and directed by Mr. Alexander, the Deputy Re 

 gister. The right reverend the Lord Bishop of Nor 

 wich, the possessor of a great and curious collection of 

 MSS. and other ancient printed pieces, (little inferior to 

 MSS. in regard of their scarceness,) hath also been very 

 considerably assistant to me, as well in this present work, as 

 in others, by that free leave, nay, and invitation, he hath 

 given me to peruse, and make transcriptions out of any of 

 them. Nor do I forget the obliging readiness of Sir Henry 

 St. George Clarent. King at Arms, with others belonging 

 unto the noble Office of Heralds ; who with all willingness 

 afforded me the use of their books, in order to the searching 

 for the family and pedigree of our Bishop, as well as for 

 divers other things, serviceable to some purposes I have in 

 hand. 



And this at length is the sum of what I had to say to the 

 reader ; praying him, in case he discovers any slips or over 

 sights, to pardon them to one who looks upon himself as a 

 frail and fallible man, and is apt enough to have mean con 

 ceits of his own performances, and very ready to be set 

 right, and thankful to be instructed, as well as willing to 

 contribute his talent to instruct others. And thus I bid the 

 reader farewell. 



J. S. 



From Low Leyton in Essex, 

 February 6, 1700. 



