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THE HOLY STATE,

AND

THE PROFANE STATE.

BY THOMAS FULLER, D.D.,

PREBENDARY OF SARUM, &c. &c.

AUTHOR OF "THE WORTHIES OF ENGLAND,” “THE HISTORY OF THE HOLY
WAR,"
""PISGAH-SIGHT OF PALESTINE,"

"ABEL REDIVIVUS," &c. &c.

"In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD."
Zechariah xiv. 20.

A NEW EDITION.

WITH NOTES,

BY JAMES NICHOLS,

EDITOR OF "FULLER'S CHURCH HISTORY OF BRITAIN," &c.

IBL

LONDON:
HOMAS

PRINTED FOR THOMAS TEGG, 73, CHEAPSIDE.

1841.

OTHE

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TO THE
THE READER.

WHO is not sensible, with sorrow, of the distractions of this age? To write books, therefore, may seem unseasonable, especially in a time wherein the press, like an unruly horse, hath cast off his bridle of being licensed; and some serious books, which dare fly abroad, are hooted at by a flock of pamphlets.

But be pleased to know, that when I left my home it was fair weather, and my journey was half-past before I discovered the tempest; and had gone so far in this work, that I could neither go backward with credit, nor forward with comfort.

As for the matter of this book, therein I am resident on my profession; holiness, in the latitude thereof, falling under the cognizance of a divine. For curious method, expect none; essays for the most part not being placed as at a feast, but placing themselves as at an ordinary.

The characters I have conformed to the then-standing laws of the realm; (a twelvemonth ago were they sent to the press ;) since which time, the wisdom of the king and state hath thought fitting to alter many things, and I expect the discretion of the reader should make his alterations accordingly. And I conjure thee, by all Christian ingenuity, that, if lighting here on some passages rather harsh-sounding than ill-intended, to construe the same by the general drift and main scope which is aimed at.

Nor let it render the modesty of this book suspected, because it presumes to appear in company unmanned by any patron. If right, it will defend itself; if wrong,

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