Libr. 50663 I THE Editor to the Reader. T is a popular reproach ufually caft upon Writers in Morality, and perfwaders to Devotion, that while they with pompous words reprefent Virtue as a fufficient reward to her felf, and exhort to the contempt of Glory; they prefix their names to their labours, and make the Title-page a confutation of the Book that follows it. Our Author has effectually averted this objection, having been fo far from seeking a name from others, as not to have left a poffibility for the discovery of his own: but like the River Nilus, that gives fertility and bleffing wherefoe're he paffes, hides his head; and permits himself to be only known in the benefits which he difpenfes. By what methods the other moft ufeful Works of this excellent Author have stoln themselves into the World, I am not enabled to relate, but having been made a party to the Publication of this prefent, it may be expected that I render fome account thereof. For although the curiofity of enquiring into that which is induftriously conceal'd, be such a rude a 2 nefs 1 nefs, and injuftice alfo, as by no means deferves to be encouraged; yet where a benefit has been receiv'd, for those who are oblig'd to defire to acquaint themselves with the Perfon unto whom they stand indebted, that they may pay a respect at leaft, if they can reach at no more equal Retribution; this has fuch a pretence to gratitude, as may justly demand to be confider d. And it will be fome fatisfaction to the ingenuous enquirer, that tho he have not inform'd himself in the particulars which he defires, he has not been deficient in the request, and knows as much as is poffible.i. The Reader therefore may please tollunderftand, that fomewhat more than two months fince, I receiv'd a Letter, accompanied with a Roll of Papers, opening the which, I found it was written by a hand whiely I was utterly ca stranger to, and that had no nume subscrib'd; the purport whereof was as follows 1901 ailored en ni avond yiuo ed os Asimid, SIR, hooghib od d HE general report of your Candour perfwades me you will not reject an Address tho from an unknown band, which encourages me to the fending these papers to you, with a defire you would please to peruse them, and commit them either to the Prefs or the Fire as you find them worthy. I fhall not need to tell you who I am, for if my fuit. be accepted, I have what I defire without it if it TH be be not, tis my intereft you should not know who 'tis that has thus importun'd you. Your Charity, I asure my felf, will at a venture pardon, SIR, Your humble Servant. Twill be fuperfluous to fay how much I was furpriz'd with this fo unusual Address, how much affected with the fingular Modesty and Humility which it expreft: and after all how much tranfported upon viewing the Treasure, which was thus, as from the Clouds dropt into my hands. Nor was I long to determine which of the two ways of difpofal propofed unto me, was to be made ufe of: and indeed I fhould much fooner have perform'd my truft, and taken care that this excellent Tract had immediately feen the light, had it not been needful to transcribe the whole, before it could fafely be committed to the Prefs. This I mention, not only to excuse the delay of the Edition, but more especially to beg a pardon for the mil-adventures of it. It being not easy in a written Copy, where a recourfe is not to be had to the Author, to do him juftice, and avoid failures and miftakes: which in the present inftance was the more hazardous, in that every departure from the Author's inimitable pattern, would certainly be for the worse. But |