OR, OBSERVATIONS DIVINE AND MORAL, COLLECTED OUT OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, ANCIENT AND AS ALSO OUT OF THE GREAT VOLUME OF MEN'S MANNERS: TENDING TO THE FURTHERANCE OF KNOWLEDGE AND VIRTUE. BY JOHN ROBINSON. "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning."-PROV. ix. 9. Experientia docet, aut nocet. PRINTED IN THE YEAR 1628. THE PREFACE. IN framing these mine Observations, Christian Reader, I have had, as is meet, first and most regard to the Holy Scriptures; in which respect, I call them divine: next, to the memorable sayings of wise and learned men, which I have read or heard, and carefully stored up as a precious treasure, for mine own, and others' benefit; and lastly, to the great volume of men's manners, which I have diligently observed, and from them gathered no small part thereof; having also had, in the days of my pilgrimage, special opportunity of conversing with persons of divers nations, estates and dispositions, in great variety. The names of the authors, specially known, out of whom gathered anything, I have, for the most part, expressed partly to give them their due; and partly, that the authority of their persons might procure freer passage for their worthy and wise sayings, with others: and make the deeper impression of them in the reader's heart: in the method I have been neither curious, nor altogether negligent, as the reader may observe. Now as this kind of study and meditation hath been unto me full sweet, and delightful, and that wherein I have often refreshed my soul, and spirit, amidst many sad and sorrowful thoughts, unto which God hath called me, so, if it may find answerable acceptance with the Christian Reader, and a blessing from the Lord, it is that which I humbly crave, specially at His hands, who both ministereth seed to the sower, and fruit to the reaper. Amen. JOHN ROBINSON. |