The Preface to the Reader. neither Time nor Strength to finifh it ; nor to Correa, it with his own Hand. Such therefore as it is , yell have it. ç. He brought it down (not long be= fore hedied) topublifh it, but upon fecund Thoughts he changed that purpofe, as his B.00kfeller fine his Death affured me. 6. I have realm to think that the Author had Come thoughts to have made further Progrefs in this Hiflory, but that other Things diverted him therefrom , till his Death at loft made that im. pofible. Sirgula quid referam, nil non mortale tearmas; Pet`lorü, Exceptia iñgeniique,bono. Ovid. de Trift. Eleg. vii. Fourthly, As to my fell. When I cameup to London, Anno Dom. 1671. I was brought intoAcquaintance with Mr. Baxter, by my dear and intimate Friend Mr.fofeph Trueman (ä elms ) who it feems, unknown to me, had told Mr. Baxter concerningme, more than I ever expected or deferved. And fo great was Mr. Trueman's Reputation with Mr. Baxter , as toconciliate that regard tohis Character of me, which great- ly promoted my, Intimaéy, andmy more free and frequent Converfation wins him ever after. HereuponMr. Baxter wrote to a worthy Perron to reekme out, and to bring me (a perfe& Stranger in the City) into Acquaintance and Employment : which accordingly was done. And force Ihort time after Mr. Baxter and my fell met together upon Minifterial Employment fomewhat frequently , to mutual Sa- tisfa&ion and reciprocal Endearments ; God fpeaking to his Heart for me. The Lord impute not to me my fo (mall improvement of that fo great Advantage. I never was deny'd admiflion to him, whendefired by me: And many Secrets he committedto me relating tohis Soul and Secular Affairs, which have been, are, and (hall be fuck God willing, whilft I live: for I take it to be finful to betray a Secret, unlefs Concealment be injurious to the Publick , or to another Perlon, And in that cafe I willnever (as I think I never have done to the belt of my temembrance) promife Secrecy : for I think it bafe, and no way capable ofVin- dication, to ferve one Friend fo as unjuftly and unworthily to differve another. At lair it pleated God to caft my Lot upon Copartnerfhip with him in Minifterial Work in Cbarterbaufe-yard, in my own Dwelling -houre there; which he therather complyed with becaufe of the vicinity ofour Refpedive Habitations. He would not meddle with the Paftoral Work ; but would 'tile himfetf ( when fomewhat pleafant) my Curate ; but he would take no Money of me for his pains : but oft and freely profeft his Satisfaction in his Conjun/tion with me, and in the ferious and moderate temper of my Flock. And I know none beyond them for Peace and Love and Candour. He was greatly folicitous about my Subfiftence and En- couragemement after his Death. And not long before his Exit he drew up a Pa- per to have been read to the Congregation , to have procured me force generous Subfcriptions from them for one year, betides what they ufually allowed me An- nually ; and to excite others thereunto , he Subfcribed Ten pounds for him(élf. He defigned it tohave been propofed and effe&ted when I was in the Country ; but coming to the knowledge of it, I put it by , which he diftafted not a little. However, I am for making the Gofpel and my Miniltry as little chargeable as I can : for I leeknot theirs , but them : and having Food and Raiment, I can be therewith Content. My Congregation is but fmall : but they are worthy of a far better Pallor than my felf. And they are kinde to me , rather beyond, than at the rate of their Ability. And I have found God's Blefïing on what they have al- low'dme. And I findmy Labour not in vain amonglt them. §IX. No Man can ju$lywonder that he efcaped not the Scourges of Tongues and Pens, and the bold Strokes of Calumny , who well confiders Humane. Degene- racy, Satan's Malignity , the Dulnefs of Torre, theRaihnefs of others, the Cre- dulity ofothers, the Narrownefs of others, the Imperfeetions of himfetf , and of all, the Entertainments of God's choicelt Favourites and Servants upon Record from
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