Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his…

II. As to the Author's ordering and digesting of his own Memoirs, a Rhapsody it now appears; and as to method and equality of Stile, somewhat below what curious Readers might expect; yea, and from what it had been, had it but passed the Author's stricter Thoughts and View. Yet we shall find the History greatly useful, though not exactly uniform; nor is it so confused, as to be incapable of easy References and Reductions to such proper Order as may best please the Reader: if the Design be clear and worthy, viz. to set in open Light the degenerate Age he lived in: the magnalia of Grace and Providence as to himself: his Self-censurings on all occasions: Caution and Conduct unto others: and tracing all Events to their genuine Sources and Originals, the judicious Reader will improve such things. There were several Papers loosely laid, which could not easily be found, when needed. And the defectiveness of my very much declining Memory, made me forget (and the more because of haste and business) where I had laid them after I had found them. And some few Papers mentioned, and important here, are not yet found, though searched after; which yet hereafter may be brought to light amongst some others, intended for the Public View, if God permit. The Reverend Author wrote them at several times, as his other Work and Studies, and frequent Infirmities would admit of. And he was more intent upon the Matter than the Method: and finding his Evening Shadows growing long, as the Presage of his own approaching and expected Change, he was willing (through the importunity of his Friends) to hasten the completing of his Works before he died. And he had rather that the Work was done somewhat imperfectly, than not at all. It is true indeed, that he hath left us nothing of the last Seven years of his Life, save his Apology for his accused Paraphrase and Notes on the New Testament, for which he was so fiercely prosecuted, imprisoned, traduced and fined. And though some pressed me to draw up the Supplemental History of his Life, yet the wisest that I could consult advised me to the contrary: and I did take their counsel to be right and good; for I well knew my self very unable to do that uniformly with the rest; and I was not inclined to obtrude upon the World what was not Mr. Baxters. Precarious Reputation I affect not.

II. As to the Author's ordering and digesting of his own Memoirs, a Rhapsody it now appears; and as to method and equality of Stile, somewhat below what curious Readers might expect; yea, and from what it had been, had it but passed the Author's stricter Thoughts and View. Yet we shall find the History greatly useful, though not exactly uniform; nor is it so confused, as to be incapable of easie References and Reductions to such proper Order as may best please the Reader: if the Design be clear and worthy, viz. to set in open Light the degenerate Age he lived in: the magnalia of Grace and Providence as to himself: his Self-censurings on all occasions: Caution and Conduct unto others: and tracing all Events to their genuine Sources and Originals, the judicious Reader will improve such things. There were several Papers loosely laid, which could not easily be found, when needed. And the defectiveness of my very much declining Memory, made me forget (and the more because of haste and business) where I had laid them after I had found them. And some few Papers mention'd, and important here, are not yet found, though search'd after; which yet hereafter may be brought to light amongst some others, intended for the Publick View, if God permit. The Reverend Author wrote them at several times, as his other Work and Studies, and frequent Infirmities would admit of. And he was more intent upon the Matter than the Method: and finding his Evening Shadows growing long, as the Presage of his own approaching and expected Change, he was willing (through the importunity of his Friends) to hasten the compleating of his Works before he died. And he had rather that the Work was done somewhat imperfectly, than not at all. It is true indeed, that he hath left us nothing of the last Seven years of his Life, save his Apology for his accused Paraphrase and Notes on the New Testament, for which he was so fiercely prosecuted, imprisoned, traduced and fined. And though some pressed me to draw up the Supplemental History of his Life, yet the wisest that I could consult advised me to the contrary: and I did take their counsel to be right and good; for I well knew my self very unable to do that uniformly with the rest; and I was not inclined to obtrude upon the World what was not Mr. Baxters. Precarious Reputation I affect not.