PREFACE TO THE READER. IT T will be necessary to obferve, that a more full and particular account of feveral of our English divines and other eminent perfons mentioned in this volume might easily have been introduced. But fuch a detail would have far exceeded the bounds of my plan, which was only to interfperfe fome traits of their characters, fome fhort extracts from, or references to their works, fufficient to incite in the reader a defire of acquiring a more intimate knowledge of them, by a diligent examination of their writings, or a more enlarged inquiry into their lives. I CANNOT excufe myfelf from declaring that I retain the moft lively fentiments of gratitude for those many inftances of kindness with which, in the prosecution of this work, I have been favoured by feveral gentlemen of distinguished character in the republic of letters. THE nave, tranfept or crofs-ailes, with the chancel of the church of Leighton Bromefwold, when viewed in the year 1794, were in a state of decay, and great neglect. I am authorifed, however, to fay, that John Norris, Efq. of Magdalen College, in Oxford, lord of the manor of Leighton, and patron of the vicarage, intends, in concurrence with the parishioners, to restore the dilapidated parts of the fabric to their former ftrength and beauty. The THE beautiful engraving of the north-eaft view of the church is not the CONTENTS. THE LIFE OF MR. ISAAC WALTON. I PRESENT not to the reader the history of a wise statesman, an adventurous foldier, or a profound philofopher. Yet I truft, that he will experience no small degree of fatisfaction from contemplating the virtues of a private citizen; who, though he arrogates not to himself the splendour of high descent, or the pride of superfluous wealth, deferves our approbation and regard. Ifaac, or as he ufually wrote his name, Izaac Walton, adorned with a guileless fimplicity of manners, claims from every good man the tribute of applaufe. It was his ambition (and furely a more honourable ambition cannot be excited in the human breast) to commend to the reverence of posterity the merits of those excellent perfons, whose comprehenfive learning and exalted piety will ever endear them to our memories. The important end of historical knowledge is a prudent application of it to ourselves, with a view to regulate and amend our own conduct. As the examples of men strictly and faithfully discharging their profeffional duties must obviously tend to invigorate our efforts to excel in moral worth, the virtuous characters, which are so happily delineated in the following pages, cannot fail, if confidered with serious attention, of producing the most beneficial and lafting impreffions on the mind. The Life of the Author of this biographical collection was little diverfified with events. He was born of a refpectable family, on the ninth day of August, 1593, in the parish of St. Mary's, in the town of Stafford'. Of his father no particular tradition is extant. From his mother he derived an hereditary attachment to the Proteftant religion, as profeffed in the Church * " September 1593. Baptiz. fuit Ifaac filius Jervis Walton, XX? die menfis et anni prac dict."-(Regifter of St. Mary's, in the town of Stafford.) |