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THE

PREFACE.

A

T the Close of our Second Volume we left Cardinal WOLSEY in Poffeffion of four of the highest Stations the Kingdom afforded in his Time; in

this we have further attended him through eight Years Administration thereof; in the Course of which, not only his furprizing Capacity and great Conduct feem to out-fhine every Example in Hiftory that went before him; but alfo, we venture to fay it, that almost every Thing that has hitherto, either by Accident or Defign, appeared like a Slur on his Character, is very near, if not quite, wiped off. Though, 'tis but too true, "There is fuch a Weakness among Mankind, that they look with Admi(i ration upon Perfons remarkable for Mischief, "and are more pleased to be talking of the "Destroyer, than the Founder or Preferver of

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"a King

"a Kingdom, its Laws, and Conftitutions; which is the Reafon, as we conceive, why the Memory of our Minister's Sovereign is the very Contraft of His.

Notwithstanding we have endeavoured to clear up Matters as we proceeded, we think it neceffary here to introduce Mr. CAVENDISH'S Preface to his Life of the CARDINAL, in order to remove a few inconfiftent Imputations he has let flip him, against his best of Mafters, that occur chiefly in this and the next Volume, which is very forward in the Prefs, and we purpose to publish it about Whitfuntide next, thereby to compleat our History.

Mr. CAVENDISH'S PREFACE.

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T feemeth no Wisdom to credit every light Tale, blazed abroad in the Mouths of the Vulgar, for we daily hear how with their blafphemous Trump they spread abroad innumerable Lies, without either Shame or Honey, which prima facie fheweth forth a Vifage of Truth, as though it were an abfolute Verity, though indeed nothing more than meer Tales, but amongst the better Sort thofe Babblings are of no Validity.

I have read the Allegations of divers worthy Authors against fuch falfe Rumours and Opinions of the common People, who delight in nothing more than to bear ftrange Things, and to fee new Al

terations

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