NEW
ENGLANDS
PROSPECT.

Noble Sir.

The good assurance of your native worth, and thrice generous disposition, as also the continuall manifestation of your bounteous favour, and love towards my selfe in particular, hath so bound my thankfull acknowledgement, that I count it the least part of my service to present the first fruites of my farre-fetcht experience, to the kinde acceptance of your charitable hands: well knowing that though this my worke, owne not worth enough to deserve your patronage, yet such is your benigne humanity, that I am confident you will daigne it your protection, under which it willingly shrowdes it selfe. And as it is reported of that man whose name was Alexander, being a cowardly milke-sop by nature, yet hearing of the valiant courage of that magnificent Hero, Alexander the Great, whose name hee bore, he thenceforth became stout and valorous; and as he was animated by having the very name of puissant Alexander; so shall these my weake and feble labours, receive life and courage by the patronage of your much esteemed selfe; whereby they shall bee able to out-face the keenest fanges of a blacke mouth'd Momus. For from hence the world may conclude, that either there was some worth in the booke, that caused so wise a person to looke upon it, and to vouchsafe to owne it, or else if they suppose that in charity he fosterd it, as being a poore helpelesse brat, they may thence learne to do so likewise. If here I should take upon me the usuall straine of a soothing Epistolizer, I should (though upon better grounds than many) sound forth a full mouth'd encomiasticke of your incomparable worth: but though your deserts may justly challenge it, yet I know your vertuous modesty would not thanke me for it; and indeed your owne actions are the best Heralds of your owne praise, which in spite of envy it selfe must speake you Wise, and truly