Imatges de pàgina
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PREFACE.

T

HE first edition of thefe Memoirs, which were published by the Author bimfelf in 1748, being entirely fold off, and the demand still continuing, it was thought proper to reprint them; not only as they contain the Author's laft corrections to feveral of his works, but as many particulars, of an hiftorical nature, are interwoven in these Memoirs, which deferve to be preferved and handed down to pofterity. The frict integrity and fincerity of the Author, were probably the frongest motives for the favourable Reception which the publick have given to thefe Memoirs; and thofe will rather encreafe, than be diminished by time. For as perfonal prejudices die away, the character of the writer will be more highly and justly esteemed. This edition is printed from the former very carefully, with thofe alterations and corrections difpofed in their proper places, which the Author, upon his revifal of the work, had thrown together at the end of the former edition. But it was thought proper to omit entirely three Trats, which

were

were printed in the former edition in the body of the work, chiefly becaufe each of them may be bad feparately for a small price, and alfo not to oblige the Purchafer to buy over again what he may already have. The Tracts omitted are as follows.

I. A ferious addrefs to the Baptists.

II. An argument in defence of Diffenter's Ordination.

III. Preface to the Liturgy of the church of England, reduced nearer the primitive standard.

The pious author, full of years and good works, died after a week's illness, Auguft 22, 1752, aged 84 years, 8 months and 13 days; and was buried near that excellent woman, his wife, who died in January, 1750-1, at Lyndon, in Rutland.

MEMOIRS

OF THE

LIFE and WRITINGS

OF

Mr.WILLIAM WHISTON.

CONTAINING,

MEMOIRS

OF

Several of his FRIENDS alfo.

WRITTEN by HIMSELF.

PART I.

Ne quid falfi dicere audeat :
Ne quid veri non audeat.

LONDON:

Printed for J. WHISTON and B. WHITE, in Fleet-street. M.DCC.LIII.

MEMOIRS

OF THE

LIFE and WRITINGS

O F

Mr. WILLIAM WHISTON.

WILLIAM WHISTON* was born at Norton juxta Twycroffe, in the county of Leicester, upon December 9. A. D. 1667. O. S. My father was Jofiah Whifton, rector of the fame place, who married the daughter of Gabriel Roffe, the former incumbent; whofe curate he had been, and was fo fortunate as to fucceed him, of which Gabriel Roffe, my grandfather, who was rector of Norton near fifty years, and lived to eighty

A 2

*The reader is to obferve, that the intire hiftories of Mr. WHISTON'S profecution at the univerfity of Cambridge; with his banishment thence; of his deprivation of the mathematic profefforship there, and of the profits thereof; with the cen

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