ed to him, as well those entrusted to the Rev. Mr --, as those that should be found in his repofitories after his death, giving me leave to do with them what I had a mind. Soon after another large parcel was fent me by his heir and executor. He had originally given the manufscript the title of, An account of the life and death of a young gentleman, who lately died in But after correcting and enlarging it, he prefixed the title the book now bears, with a dedication and preface. The account which he had several years ago favoured me with a reading of, was not near fo full, ended with the death of Mr T-s, and had the two letters that were afterwards published, with my permission, in a monthly Magazine, annexed, under the title of Extracts of two letters, &c. In his travels he picked up the materials of what he calls the second, third, and fourth parts. He wrote the first and second parts in one volume; and the third and fourth in another, under the title of Memoirs of seve ral persons of both sexes. And he tells me in his letter, that if Providence had spared his life some months longer, he intended to have added a fifth and fixth part, under the same title as the third and fourth, from a variety of extracts and letters, which he has fent me wrapped in two parcels, one entitled, Anecdotes and bistories for the fifth part of the Memoirs, and, Anecdotes, &c. for the fixth part. From the dedication and preface it would appear that the author intended this work for the prefs. On perusal of the four parts, all written with his own hand, and of the materials of the other two, I could not refift the inclination I for a long time have had, to favour the world with so valuable a treasure of Christian knowledge and experience; and I cannot but felicitate myself on being the happy instrument of publishing a work which natively tends to recommend vital piety and serious religion, in the most pathetic terms, to a world lying in wickedness; and I am fure that the sole view of the writer and publisher is thereby to promote the glory of God, and illustrate his fovereign and effi. cacious grace in the salvation of finners. As the whole work will confift of three handsome volumes, volumes, I have allowed only the first volume to come abroad at firit, refolving, it it shall meet with the approbation of the friends of religion, as I can have no doubt but it will, the other two volumes shall follow in due time, as I have now begun to compose the fifth and fixth parts from the excellent materials afforded me. The author's preface is reserved for the second volume. It may not be improper to observe with regard to Mr T-s, that while he lived in, he lodged in a retired place of the ciry; that his landlady was an ancient widow lady, very deaf, as was also her maid; and that they knew very little about him, except that he was fick, and apparently dying; that a few days before he was seized with his fatal fever, he gave out that he was foon to return to his own country; that falling fick in the middle of September, he languished till the beginning of April; that no body knew of his illness, or visited him, but his most intimate companions, except one gentleman, who a little before his death went to America; fo that his condition never became the subject of public talk or speculation. After Mr Nu's departure to the country in the beginning of his illness, fome one of his companions was almost conftantly with him. For my part, out of the endeared regard I had for the worthy gentleman, I ftaid many hours with him every day; and after Mr Nu's return, vifited him daily. I regret that I did not take down many excellent speeches and exhortations he delivered to me and others, which were not a whit inferior to those recorded in this volume. But though they are now irrecoverably lost, I am fure every ferious reader will bless God for those here preferved, which cannot fail to have a happy influence on the interefts of piety, fo warmly recommended by the dying gentleman. I shall only further take notice, that, according to my laft accounts, as well as by letters found among Mr Nu's papers, all Mr T-s's intimate companions are yet alive, settled in different places of the kingdom, and that they continue to thew the warmest attachment to the cause of religion, and to adorn 1, their Christian profession by a holy conversation. The gentleman who desired to be present at Mr Ts's death, as related p. 246. some years after took orders among the dissenters, and is now a very famous and fuccessful preacher of the gospel. Mr Ts and his lady died about a twelvemonth ago. The fons are comfortably settled, and the daughters married to their own relations, as has long been the custom of the family. Mr Nu left each of them a legacy, as he did one to me. I can give no account of the gentleman and lady, nor the famous Mally, from whose letters of correspondence he extracted the second part of the Memoirs, though it would appear I was acquainted with the lady when in a disguised habit. Nor can I give any account of the other persons who make a diftinguished figure in the other parts, the author taking no notice where they lived. I shall conclude with remarking, that whether all the initial letters of the names in these Memoirs are real or fictitious, as I believe they are of the latter character, the narrative is genuine, and intended, both by the author and editor, for the noblest purposes, those of advancing the glory of God, and promoting the best interests of mankind, in oppofition to that levity and lewdness, and that deluge of wickedness and unconcern about eternity, which overwhelms the prefent age. And that it may be accompanied with the divine blessing for the benefit of every reader, is the hearty prayer of June 10.: 1767. The EDITOR. : : The Extract of a letter from a Clergyman in the country, dated June 17. 1767. -I was intimately acquainted with the writer of the following Memoirs. He was a gentleman of folid judgment, great knowledge, and fincere piety. He had for about fifteen years spent the fummer-season in visiting all the noted towns in the kingdom, where he became acquainted with the most eminent clergymen, and the most judicious Christians of every denomination, especially those among the dissenters; with whom he maintained a religious correspondence; so that a week seldom paffed without his receiving and writing very large packets. In his travels he collected a great number of very instructive anecdotes, many of which I have heard him repeat with great pleasure. Mr N-u had, from his infancy, been troubled with a weakness in the lungs, and of late years with a cough, which threatened a consumption. He was very fickly all the last winter, and had the sentence of death in him. He then put the finishing hand to the first four parts of these Memoirs, and collected and arranged the materials of the fifth and fixth. He indulged me with a reading of the first four parts; which afforded me a most rational and religious entertainment, as containing the best and most accurate account I had ever read of a work of conviction and converfion, of a life of faith, of the glorious displays of grace in salvation, of the most forcible perfuafives to a religious life, and of the most joyful and triumphant death; together with a series of the most striking anecdotes and entertaining histories, relating to the important interests of mankind, that are to be found in any language. A little before his death, which happened in the beginning of last month, he gave me the copy of these Memoirs, with a large parcel of papers, writings, and letters, to be conveyed to Dr M-, to whom he left them in his will, to be disposed of as that gentleman should think proper. His behaviour on his deathbed was truly amiable and Christian,; and he died in sweet peace of mind, in the faith of being with the Lord for ever. After his interment, I tranfmitted the Memoirs, with all the other papers entrusted to me, to Dr M-, earnestly defiring him to oblige the world with the publication of so valuable a collection, that might be of great utility both to saints and finners. As he has complied with my importunate defire, I heartily pray the bleffing of God may attend the perusal of these excellent papers. 1 CORRIGENDA. p. 1. : 34. 9. for and calculated read or tended ti 49. 23. for worth read worthy 52. 18. for word read Spirit $55. 22. after man infert can 62. 18. read Because 64. 18. 19. for love-adventure read love-conversation 70. 28. read duty 75 ult. read worshipping 1. read and 105. 32. for mean read means CON |