Read, _but do’nt_ Practice: _for the Author findes,
They which live_ Honest _have most quiet mindes_.
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The _Third_ Part.
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With the Illustration of Pictures to every
Chapter.
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_LONDON_:
Printed by _Anne Johnson_ for _Fran. Kirkman_, and
are to be sold at his Shop in _Fan-Church
Street_ over against the Sign of the _Robin
Hood_ neer _Algate_. 1674.
[Illustration: decoration]
The Preface.
Gentlemen!
_In the first impression of this third part, a large and as I thought a
sufficient Apologie was made, for the Writing and publishing thereof.
Wherefore I shall not enlarge at this time, onely tell you that you have
here laid before you, a large Catalogue of all sorts of notorious
Rogueries; your own consciences may serve as a finger in the Margin,
pointing directly to the Guilt with which you are principally concern’d;
to deal plainly with you, had I lived in a less wicked Age than this is,
this Book had ne’re been extant; it was the vicious practices of these
corrupted times, that gave it matter and form, life and being: had the
evil inclinations of men extended no further, then to some wagish
excursions, I should have been silent; but since_ Villany _improves it
self daily, notwithstanding the many lamentable examples monthly
attending the commission thereof. I thought good to erect this Monument
of their shame and wickedness, which may serve instead of a continuall_
Sessions, _an ever-lasting_ Tyburn, _to fright these vile miscreants
from their enormous practices: I know not with what faces they can
perpetrate that again, which is now so notoriously laid open to the view
of the whole world; the beastliness of their debaucheries stinking above
ground. But I have heard some men say, that the writing of this is not
the probable way of reducing, but increasing the number of such persons
whose enormities I have just cause to complain of: I would not have you
to be so rash in your Judgments, as uncharitably to believe me to be a_
Seminary _of_ Vice, _and that I erected a Nursery for its propagation,
for I must assure you I am of better principles, and that no_ profit
_whatsoever shall buy out my interest in a good_ conscience. _What I
have done is well intended, and is the product of a painful Experience,
Travel, and Expence; and if you will have a little patience, you shall
find (in the winding up of the bottom by the conclusion of this Story,
in a fifth and last Part, which is very suddenly intended) that no crime
shall go unpunished, no particular Person who hath been guilty of these
vicious Extravagancies but shall have a punishment suitable to their
crimes: and then I hope all persons who make use of this Book to
practice debaucheries, will be induced to forbear and decline their
wickedness, lest a just judgment overtake them, as they will find it
hath done these_ Extravagants. _This is the true design and end of this
Book in generall, and whoever makes any other use or Construction do’s
greatly abuse the real and true intents of their honest_ Monitor.
_Fra. Kirkman._
[Illustration]
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THE
ENGLISH ROGUE:
Continued in the Life of
Meriton Latroon,
AND OTHER
EXTRAVAGANTS.
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_PART III._
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