A27006:48
Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his…
Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his life and times faithfully published from his own original manuscript by Matthew Sylvester.Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his life and times faithfully publish'd from his own original manuscript by Matthew Sylvester.
London: printed for T. Parkhurst, 1696
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly, As to the History.
I. Of what Concern and Consequence the Matter of it is, the patient and diligent and judicious Reader may soon discern. Weighty things, when fully, credibly, and impartially related, do readily commend themselves to the Reader's Acceptation, and they do as readily meet therewith, where Ingenuity and Candour do prevail. What these things are which the Historian mainly insists upon, may be discovered quickly by reading over the Contents thereof; whereto I would refer the Reader. First, Lest the first sheet or two, through their Graphical inaccuracy, should be offensive to him, and so discourage his progressive Reading: The History takes it's rise indeed à leviusculis, from meaner things; which (seeing the Author seemed desirous and resolved to insert upon Reasons best known to himself) indeed I durst not blot out. Readers (and Friends to the deceased) may be of various Appetites and Humours; and different Things may have their different Relishes from variously disposed Palates. Why may not Histories take their start from smaller Matters, and so proceed to greater; as well as the material Origination of the Universe from its Chaos, and of Humane Bodies from their first Dust or Seed? I do indeed profess my grief and shame that they escaped me so inadvertently, but I was then bereaved of that Composure in my Thoughts (through the tremendous Hand of God upon me otherwise, which I will not now relate) for otherwise my Caution had been greater, and so, those Sheets and other Passages more correct. ⟨image 7⟩I had neither time nor strength to attend the Press, so as to inspect the Impression sheet by sheet; and thereupon I trusted to the promised Care of the Booksellers: but I found upon review the Errata to be more numerous and gross by far than ever I expected. But if the Candid Reader will correct the Errata, as they are rendered corrigible to his view, I shall think my self greatly obliged to him. But if the Reader's first Historical Salute displease him, as being much beneath his expected Entertainment, one hours reading I hope he will find to be the utmost Exercise of his Patience, from the meanness of the Matter at his Entrance into the Book.