To descend now from truth itself to our own experience have we not seen, even in our days, a most pious (and almost faultless) Prince brought to the scaffold by his own subjects? The most glorious constitution upon the face of the earth, both ecclesiastical and civil, torn to pieces and dissolved? The happiest people under the sun enslaved? Our temples sacrilegiously profaned, and a license given to all sorts of heresy and outrage? And by whom but by a race of _hypocrites?_ who had nothing in their mouths all this while but _the purity of the gospel_, _the honor of the king_, and _the liberty of the people_, assisted underhand with _defamatory papers_, which were levelled at the _king_ himself through the sides of his most faithful _ministers_. This PROJECT succeeded so well against one government, that it is now again set afoot against another; and by some of the very actors too in that TRAGEDY, and after a most gracious pardon also, when Providence had laid their necks and their fortunes at his majesty’s feet. It is a wonderful thing that _libels_ and _libellers_, the most _infamous_ of _practices_ and of _men_; the most _unmanly sneaking methods_ and _instruments_ of _mischief_; the very bane of _human society_, and the _plague_ of all _governments_; it is a wonderful thing (I say) that these engines and engineers should ever find credit enough in the world to engage a party; but it would be still more wonderful if the _same trick_ should pass twice upon the _same people_, in the _same age_, and from the _same_ IMPOSTORS. This contemplation has carried me a little out of my way, but it has at length brought me to my text again, for there is in the bottom of it the highest opposition imaginable of _ingratitude_ and _obligation_. The reader will, in some measure, be able to judge by this taste what he is farther to expect; that is to say, as to the cast of my design, and the simplicity of the style and dress; for that will still be the same, only accompanied with variety of matter. Whether it pleases the world or no, the care is taken; and yet I could wish that it might be as delightful to others upon the perusal, as it has been to me in the speculation. Next to the gospel itself, I do look upon it as the most sovereign remedy against the miseries of human nature: and I have ever found it so, in all the injuries and distresses of an unfortunate life. You may read more of him, if you please, in the _Appendix_, which I have here subjoined to this Preface, concerning the authority of his _writings_, and the circumstances of his _life_; as I have extracted them out of Lipsius. OF SENECA’S WRITINGS.