cannot but promise my felf, Tou will taste the sweet Refreshments they bring, if thefe Meditations shall be allowed the Privilege of bearing you Company in your moft melancholy Retirements. My Defign in Publishing this Book, as it now appears, was to recommend, and render it ferviceable to all Chriftian Readers in general. But among Them there is not Any, in contributing to whose Benefit and Satisfaction I should esteem my Labours more fuccessfully answered, than to Tours. Who have by So many Instances of Goodness obliged me to be with all poffible Sincerity and Respect, MADAM, Your moft Affectionate Coufin, and moft Humble Servant, GEO, STANHOPE, THE THE PREFACE TO THE READER. T HE Reputation of this Little Book, with which the Reader is here prefented, feems abundantly established, by the great Pains taken to communicate it to Mankind, in most Languages of the Chriftian World. But fince the English Verfion hitherto in ufe, was in fome Places grown obfelete, and in many fell fhort of that Life and Spirit requifite for fuch Devotional Tracts, it was thought expedient to recommend it by a Style more modern, and a little better fuited to Subjects of this Na ture. In this Attempt the Latin of Caftellio is chiefly followed; He hath taken fome liberty in places peculiarly relating to the Romifh Superftitions. And the prefent Tranflator hath not only trodden in his Steps thus far ; but, in the Chapters which concern a Monkifh Life particularly, hath endeavoured fo to express himself for the most part, as that fuch Meditations might be accommodated to the Circumstances of any Pious Christian, who declines the Pleasures,and Business, and other Interruptions of the World, and fequefters himfelf to the Exercife of Devotion and severer Virtues. This was thought most agreeable to the great Design he had in view, That of rendring these Reflections of general Use to the World. For which reafon also, he hath not been nicely close in many of the Flights usual with these Contemplative and Mystical Divines. Thinking it better, either to give thofe Rapturous Paffages another Turn; or, by Additions and Illuftrations of his own, to bring them down to the common Condition of Human Life, and fit them for the Mouths of every Sincere Practical Christian. In order to preferve the Zeal and Spirit of the Author, it was found neceffary, fometimes to abridge, and at others to enlarge a Thought, and carry it a little higher. All which the Reader hath this Warning of, to prevent any Objections which might otherwise be raised against the Faithfulness of an Undertaking; Intended not fo much to acquaint Englishmen what Kempis thought, as to convey thofe Thoughts with fome degree of that Sprightlinefs and Affectionate Warmth which the Original Compofer at first felt from them. And because the Reader will perhaps expect fome Account of Him, here follows in brief the Substance of what Rofweid hath delivered,concern-* ing him. "This 66 This Thomas was called à Kempis from a little Village of that Name, in the Diocese of Cologne, "where he was born in the Year of our Lord 1308. His Parentage and Fortune were mean; AtThirteen Years old he began his Studies, and about "Nineteen betook himself to a Monastery of Auguftin Monks; About Five and twenty he took "the Habit of that House and Order. There he " continued for the space of Seventy Years, par"ticularly eminent for his Piety, Humility, diligent Study of the Holy Scriptures, Austerity of Life, moving Eloquence in Discourse, and ex"traordinary Zeal in Prayer. For his Person, He was of middle Stature,of a strong brown Complexion, a lively piercing Eye; and a Sight fo good, that tho' he laboured much under other "Infirmities of old Age, yet he was never redu"ced to the use of Spectacles. He died July 25. 1471. in the Ninety second Year of his Age. As to the Dispute, whether this Book were of his Compofition, I am content to fubmit to common Fame, and leave him in quiet poffeffion, not seeing of what confequence it can be, to call his Title in question, or examine into the Merits of other Pretenders. |