both in and out of Sessions, you may at one view perceive in a
Table, or Particular, prefixed to this Book of such Statutes as
are in their power to Execute by virtue of express words
therein contained; whereby in very many cases, in matters
both of liberty and property, that fundamental course of
accusation by indictment found, and Conviction after Issue
joyned by Verdict of Twelve Jurors, and of Judgment given
in open Court on mature deliberation, concurrency of Opinion,
and publick and solemn Determination thereof, are
in a great measure abrogated; and how far a delegation of
such Authority may tend to the subversion of both liberty
and property, by rendring useless the ancient way and method
of Accusing, Convicting, Judging and punishing Offenders,
'tis not within my capacity to Discern, but others that
can, may prevent it, if there be apprehended  any danger from
the same.  The great Additions to the Justices of Peace, their
Jurisdiction first occasioned the Learned Author Mr. Daltons
Writing this Book; and because they when private, or but
few, were worst to help, he composed it for their aid, thereby
declaring their Duty out of Sessions, which he hath done
with singular pains, care, integrity and judgment.
    But the Statutes still increasing their Authority, and the
Learned Authors work proving very useful, many Editions of
this Book have been, and on pretence of a further benefit 
hereby, some Additions with little care, and as little judgment
have been made to it of late Statutes therein abridged,
and of the spurious, and falsly so called Resolutions of the
Judges, and some few other matters.
    And now all former Editions of this Book, being either
spent or not sufficing, there is attempted in this present Impression
to make it further useful, not only an inserting under proper
Titles the Statutes made since Mr. Daltons time, Abridged
with some care and pains, in which Justices of Peace have to
deal as well out of Sessions as in their Sessions; as also wherewith
the Justices had to do in their Sessions, before Mr. Dalton
first published his Book, and with which he purposely meddled
not, it being not his proposed Task; as also some things
touching their Sessions, and their proceedings therein.
    'Tis especially provided for herein, that those Statutes that
are either discontinued or repealed, may be through this Treatise
taken notice of.  I shall here insert the Statute, 17 Car. 2, c. 4.
by which, all Statutes and Acts of Parliament which had their