Consists of biographical sketches of various Protestant divines and theologians by Thomas Fuler (who signs "The epistle to the reader"), Daniel Featley, Thomas Gataker, and others, with occasional verse by Francis and John Quarles.

The 1651 ed. was reissued in 1652 and again in 1654, with the original letter-press t.p. (dated 1651), and an engraved t.-p. with the correct date of issue.

The 1652 and 1654 issues include "The life and death of the late reverend and worthy prelate, Lancelot Andrewes" by Henry Isaacson; also issued separately as "An exact narration of the life and death of the late reverend and learned prelate, and painfull divine, Lancelot Andrewes" (Wing I1058).

Wing F2401

VUL copy 1 lacks both title pages and p. 1-2, 57-58, 179-182, 191-192, 233-234, 265-266, 419-422, 441-442, 501-502, 537-538. Page 221 is misnumbered 211, which is a recognized variant of the 1652 issue. See ESTC R16561.

VUL copy 2 lacks first [16] p. The last p. is misnumbered 599, which is a recognized variant of both the 1652 and 1654 issues. See ESTC R16561 and ESTC R202080.