Since his _Reformation_, I have taken very great delight in his Conversation, and never went from him but with great satisfaction in the _Ingenious Relation_ of the transactions of his youthful days: And frequently revolving them in my mind, Reason suggested to me, the _History of his Life_ could not but be as profitable as pleasant, if made _publick_. For herein you may see Vice pourtrayed in her own proper shape, the ugliness whereof (her _Vizard-Mask_ being remov’d) cannot but cause in her (_quondam_) Adorers, a _loathing_ instead of _loving_. Wherefore, with my _Friends_ free consent, and being instigated thereunto by many _persons_ inferiour to few, either for _Birth_, _Education_, or _Natural Parts_, I attempted this _Essay_. If any be so curious to know what the (_Actors_ you have in the Title) _Authors name is_, let me crave his pardon for his concealment, and answer him with _Plutarch_ to an inquisitive Fellow, _Quum vides velatum, quid inquiris in rem absconditam?_ It was therefore covered, because he should not know what was in it. It is enough that the _Actor_ hath shown himself willing to declare _freely_, and without _mincing_ the _truth_ of what he hath done, without _knowing_ who writ it; if the _Contents_ shall as well _please_ as admonish, no matter what I’m call’d. But if you are so desirous to know what the _Writer_ is, I shall briefly inform your _curiosity_: But I doubt I have _undertaken_ what I _cannot perform_; for if to know a mans self be more then an _Herculean Labour_, then without doubt it is beyond the limits of my power to tell you what I am; neither can _any man_ truly _know another_, unless he first _knows_ himself. For some few years, the World and I have had a great _falling out_; and though I have used all _probable_ and _possible_ means, we remain yet _unreconcil’d_. My only comfort is, I have a small treasure in _Minerva’s Tower_, by which I subsist; and by the benefit thereof, can walk abroad, not without taking _Observation_ both from what I _hear_ and _see_; and returning home, _Tam Aulæ vanitatem, quam Fori ambitionem ridere mecum soleo_. I can with _Democritus_ laugh at the _Actions_ of men, extracting _Wisdome_ from their _Follies_, and afterwards _lash_ them with a _Rod_ of _Experience_ made of their own _fond inconsiderateness_.