To the Reader.

wise God provides for her: on all these waves and Waters she hath a little Ark to return to. I think I see her in the window all wet, and weather-beaten. She has been rejected abroad, and now I will take her Home. Come in with your Branch of Olive! Continuing the biblical metaphor of Noah’s Ark; the author welcomes "Truth" back into his private care since the public is not ready for it.

To conclude, this Discourse is my last, and the only Key original: "Clavis" to my First. What I have written formerly is like the Arabian's Halicali Halicali: A reference to "alkali" (salt of ashes), used here to describe his previous work as something potentially caustic or difficult to "digest" without the proper catalyst.: it is a sealed house original: "Domus signata", a House shut up, but here I give you the Key to the Lock. If you enter, seal up what you see in your Hearts: Trust it not to the Tongue, for that is a Flying Scroll A reference to Zechariah 5:1; the author warns that secrets shared through speech can spread uncontrollably and dangerously.. Thus I deliver my Light to your Hands, but what Returns you will give me, I know not. If you are for Peace, Peace be with you: if for war, I have been so too, but 1 Kings 20:11 Let not him who girds on his Armor boast like him who puts it off. A biblical warning against overconfidence before a battle or challenge is finished. Do well, and Farewell.

1651.                                               E. P. The initials of the author's pseudonym, Eugenius Philalethes (Thomas Vaughan).