epidemic evil of the times. In the present day, it were most desirable, that the mantle of Cudworth might descend upon some true son of the Church of England. He was born A. D. 1617, and died in the memorable year 1688. The Editor will only add, that he has sometimes slightly modified the phraseology, where it seemed likely that ordinary readers might be checked, by the occurrence of an unusual, an antiquated, or an unperspicuous word. If he were re-publishing these tracts, as works of their respective Authors, it might, indeed, be proper to adhere, even to their errors, with scrupulous fidelity. But, in a practical and devotional manual, (and for such especially, this compilation is intended,) it seemed the first duty, to take care, that no slight obscurity, no awkwardness of expression, should be allowed to mar the general effect; whilst, at the same time, the sense, spirit, and peculiar vein of thought, of each writer, should be carefully preserved. He now concludes with an earnest wish, that these treatises may have, at least, a portion of the beneficial result, which they are eminently calculated to produce. JOHN LIMERICK. Leamington, September 27. 1830. CONTENTS. |