or meddling do not that good service therein which they are desirous
to do.  I have herein endeavoured to set down things so plainly and
briefly as I could, with reference to the Statutes abridged, whereby
the Reader may the better resolve and satisfie himself, what he ought
to do in every particular almost that should come before him, or them,
out of their general Sessions of the Peace.  And yet for that in cases
of Ambiguity, Satius est fontes petere quam fectari rivulos, I
could with all Justices of Peace to have ready by them the Statutes
at large, as well as the Abridgments, and to use this Book,
or the Abridgments of the Statutes, as Tables and brief Memorials,
but to trust and ground themselves upon the Books at large.
    It resteth now only to intreat your Favours:  and although I might
rest confident by the honourable Patronage I have obtained of him,
whose high Place and Presidency for matters of Justice and judicious
Understanding drew me to covet the same, (and not a little besides
induced, yea obliged thereto, in regard of the near alliance by Marriage
into the honourable House of the Spencers;) yet withal I
could not out of that duty and love which I owe to this Honourable
Society, (my first breeder in the studies of the Law) and hope of
your tender respect, to uphold the Credit of an affectionate Member
of your Society, but be bold also to crave your farther countenance
in these my Labours; and that you would be pleased to accept this
loving remembrance as a thankful gratuity to you, to whom I must
ever acknowledge my self deeply obliged, and ever to rest at all your
Commands.
 
 
 

                                                                    MICHAEL DALTON.