N02149:30
Parentator. Memoirs of remarkables in the life and the death of the ever-memorable Dr.…
Parentator. Memoirs of remarkables in the life and the death of the ever-memorable Dr. Increase Mather. Who expired, August 23. 1723. : [One line from II Kings]
Boston: printed by B. Green for Nathaniel Belknap, 1724
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.
For the Sincerity and Veracity with which the History which we are now going to, is carried on, I am Responsible to HIM, whose Eye I have Remembered, I hope, Constantly upon me, while I have been Writing of it. But I have also Vouchers in my Hands, for every one of the Articles, which any one shall be Welcome to see, whenever he Pleases.
For the Sincerity and Veracity with which the History which we are now going to, is carried on, I am Responsible to HIM, whose Eye I have Remembred, I hope, Constantly upon me, while I have been Writing of it. But I have also Vouchers in my Hands, for every one of the Articles, which any one shall be Welcome to see, whenever he Pleases.
I confess, It is a Lamentation, and it shall be for a Lamentation, That so much False History is Imposed upon the World. Many others, besides Vopiscus, have Detected it and Bewailed it, That among all the Celebrated Historians, it may be proved, Neminem non esse aliquid Mentitum; Or, as it had been said long before him, All are Liars. The Old Gentleman whom they call, The Father of History, may (notwithstanding Harry Stephen's unluckily Apology for him) as truly be called, The Parent of Fable. But what a Fabulous Generation have come after him?
I confess, It is a Lamentation, and it shall be for a Lamentation, That so much False History is Imposed upon the World. Many others, besides Vopiscus, have Detected it and Bewailed it, That among all the Celebrated Historians, it may be proved, Neminem non esse aliquid Mentitum; Or, as it had been said long before him, All are Lyars. The Old Gentleman whom they call, The Father of History, may (notwithstanding Harry Stephen's unluckly Apology for him) as truly be called, The Parent of Fable. But what a Fabulous Generation have come after him?
No Man has with more Justice Complained of the Iniquity Chargeable upon Historians, especially upon a Black-sold Heylin and his Brethren on both sides the Alps, than our Venerable Baxter; And no Man could more truly say, I Hate and Abhor Lying, than he. But yet even He himself was taxable with some Wrong Representations in his, History of his Life and Times: Among which, what he gives of Dr. Owen, has been Happily Corrected, and should be Forgotten.