These things duly weighed, and considering the Ground of our present Distempers; the Compiler of this Abridgment reckoned that he could not do his Countrymen a better Office, than (by laying before them the naked state of things) to give them at one view, a Prospect, both of the subject matter of their Apprehensions, and of the Vigilance, Zeal, and needful severity of the Government on their behalf. To which end, he hath here drawn up an _Historical Abstract_ of the whole matter of Fact concerning those Persons who have hitherto been Tryed for their Lives, either upon the _Plot_ it self, or in Relation to it: opposing Authentick Records to wandring Rumours; and delivering the _Truth_ in all Simplicity. He hath not omitted any one material Point: There is not so much as one _Partial Stroke_ in it; not a flourish, nor any thing but a bare and plain _Collection_, without any Tincture either of Credulity, or Passion. And it is brought into so narrow a Compass too, that it will ease the Readers _head_, as well as his _purse_; by clearing him of the puzzle of _Forms_, and _Interlocutories_. that serve only to amuse and mislead a man, by breaking the Order, and confounding the Relative parts of the _Proceeding_. Having this in Contemplation; and being at the same time possest of a most exact _Summary_ of all passages here in Question; This Reporter was only to cast an Extract of these Notes into a Method: especially finding, that upon comparing the substance of his own papers, with the most warrantable Prints that have been published; his own _Abstract_ proved to be not only every jot as Correct, but much more Intelligible, which being _short_ and _full_; he thought might be useful, and find Credit in the world upon its own account, without need of a _Voucher_. _L'Estranges_ Narrative Justify'd. His Adversary detected A Bold and senceless libel