N01223:26
Bonifacius. An essay upon the good, that is to be devised and designed, by…
Bonifacius. An essay upon the good, that is to be devised and designed, by those who desire to answer the great end of life, and to do good while they live. A book offered, first, in general, unto all Christians, in a personal capacity, or in a relative. Then more particularly, unto ministers, unto physicians, unto lawyers, unto schoolmasters [sic], unto wealthy gentlemen, unto several sorts of officers, unto churches, and unto all societies of a religious character and intention. With humble proposals, of unexceptionable methods, to do good in the world. : [Two lines from Ephesians]Bonifacius. An essay upon the good, that is to be devised and designed, by those who desire to answer the great end of life, and to do good while they live. A book offered, first, in general, unto all Christians, in a personal capacity, or in a relative. Then more particularly, unto ministers, unto physicians, unto lawyers, unto scholemasters [sic], unto wealthy gentlemen, unto several sorts of officers, unto churches, and unto all societies of a religious character and intention. With humble proposals, of unexceptionable methods, to do good in the world. : [Two lines from Ephesians]
printed by B. Green for Samuel Gerrish, 1710
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
It is a Surprising Passage, which a late French Author has given us; That a man of Good Merit, is a Kind of Public Enemy. And that by Engrossing a great many Applauses, which would serve to gratify a great many others, he cannot but be Envied; And that men do naturally hate, what they Esteem very much, but cannot Love. But, my Readers, Let us not be Surprised at it. You have Read, who Suffered the Ostracisms at Athens; and what a pretty Reason the Country Fellow had, why he gave his Voice, for the Banishing of Aristides; [Because ⟨p. xii⟩he was every where always called, The Just:] and for what Reason the Ephori laid a mulct upon Agesilaus; [Because he did above other men possess the Hearts of the Lacedaemonians.] You have Read, the Reason why the Ephesians Expelled the best of their Citizens: [Nemo de nobis unus Excellat; sed si quis Extiterit, alio in Loco, et apud alios sit:] If any will Out-do their Neighbours, let 'em find Another Place to do it. You have Read, That he who conquered Hannibal, saw it necessary to Retire from Rome, that the Merit of others might have more Notice taken of it. My Authors tell me, At all times, nothing has been more dangerous among men than too shining a Merit. But, my Readers, The Terror of this Envy must not intimidate you I must press you, to Do Good, and be so far from Affrighted at, that you shall rather be generously Delighted in, the most Envious Deplumations.
It is a Surprizing Passage, which a late French Author has given us; That a man of Good Merit, is a Kind of Publick Enemy. And that by Engrossing a great many Applauses, which would serve to gratify a great many others, he cannot but be Envied; And that men do naturally hate, what they Esteem very much, but cannot Love. But, my Readers, Let us not be Surprized at it. You have Read, who Suffered the Ostracisms at Athens; and what a pretty Reason the Country Fellow had, why he gave his Voice, for the Banishing of Aristides; [Because ⟨p. xii⟩he was every where always called, The Just:] and for what Reason the Ephori laid a mulct upon Agesilaus; [Because he did above other men possess the Hearts of the Lacedaemonians.] You have Read, the Reason why the Ephesians Expelled the best of their Citizens: [Nemo de nobis unus Excellat; sed si quis Extiterit, alio in Loco, et apud alios sit:] If any will Out-do their Neighbours, let 'em find Another Place to do it. You have Read, That he who conquered Hanibal, saw it necessary to Retire from Rome, that the Merit of others might have more Notice taken of it. My Authors tell me, At all times, nothing has been more dangerous among men than too shining a Merit. But, my Readers, The Terror of this Envy must not intimidate you I must press you, to Do Good, and be so far from Affrighted at, that you shall rather be generously Delighted in, the most Envious Deplumations.