THERE being an intention of giving some account of the Free-schools in England; their Founders, Masters, Exhibitioners, Over-seers, and Visitors with other memorable circumstances which may occur: And application having been made to us the Vice-Chancellor, and the Regius Professor of the Civill Law in the University of OXON, to testifie our sense of the undertaking whereby the Compiler of the Work may stand re­commended to the Registers, Officers in the respective Dioceses, or any who may assist him in those Enquiries.

In condescension to this request we readily allow that amongst the publick Monuments of Christian Charity one of the most early and constant cares of the first Reformers has been by the erecting these Seminaries, together with good Arts, and the Learned Languages to propagate, especially, true Religion, by infusing the Principles of it, from the established Catechisme.

A Survey therefore of those Foundations, to such as have an affection for the prosperity of the Church, or Advancement of Learning, we judge will be no less pleasing in the Review, then profitable by the Example.

And we do hereby own the industry of CHRISTOPHER WASE Supe­rior Bedle of the Civill-Law in the said University in making this Collection and farther give assurance that we will promote his pretence in those particular Districts to which our Government or Interest shall extend.