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.