* The Works of the Eeverend Richard Sibbes, D.D., late Master of Catherine Hall, in the University of Oxford {sic), and Preacher of Gray's Inn, London, &c. Aberdeen, 1812. 3 Vols. 8vo. f ' Bruised Reed,' reprint of 1888, p. xxi.
X To explain ; — Adams's ' Sermons ' were collected by himself from the early 4to3 into a folio, and so it is an editor's text. Had Sibbes's numerous writings been brought together into a folio or otherwise, by himself, or under his authority, it is plain that the labour of editing would have been much simplified.
and that these, excepting the three small volumes published by or under the sanction of the author, swarm with misprints and mispunctuations. The posthumous publication of the larger pro- portion explains this. It can hardly be hoped that in every case perfect accuracy has been attained, as many points must always remain to some extent matter of opinion ; but I have given a good deal of thought and pains to the production of an accurate text. It need scarcely be said, that in nothing save the modern- isation of the orthography and punctuation, are Sibbes's words touched.
(c) By the kind help of friends interested in the work, every quotation and reference, coming within the general rule laid down for this series,* has been verified or filled in, as the case may be. Occasional casual references and allusions have been traced. It is believed that no quotation of any moment has been overlooked. This does not apply to the mere pointing of a sentence or barbing of an appeal with a saying introduced after the fashion of the age, as ' one saith,' or ' the heathen saith.' But when traced, even those have been given.
{d) To the treatises embraced in this volume, which were pub- lished originally and superintended subsequently by the author in different editions, the 'various readings' are appended as foot-notes. The letters a, h, c, &c., refer to the few 'notes ' of the editor, added at the close of each treatise. These might have been multiplied ; but his design is simply to explain names, dates, facts. The old signi- ficant words that occur will be given as a 'glossary' in the last volume, with references to the places where they occur. This may prove a not unacceptable addition to the stores of the ' Philological Society,' in their laudable endeavour to furnish that great desi- deratum, a national dictionary of our English tongue.
(e) Foi the ' Memoir ' I have done my humble best. None can regret its deficiencies more than myself Yet has it, as the wh.'^le undertaking, been done lovingly and as an honest piece of work. Those who have engaged in kindred investigations will best appre- ciate the difficulties involved. As compared with preceding me- moirs of Sibbes (or notices rather, for no one exceeds at the most five of our pages), it will be found more ample. I have been en- abled to enrich it with new matter, to recover old which was lost or neglected ; and to bring together what is scattered through many volumes. I felicitate myself upon the possession of Zachary Catlin's MS.-f- Writing of one who came under the persecution
* Sco ' Editorial Note,' Adams' Works, vol. i. pp. ix, x. t See Aj)peudix A. to Memoir.
PREFACE. XV
of Laud, aiid who was a ' Puritan ' of the tnie stamp, the policy of Laud must come under review. On that policy I have decided opinions, which I have not concealed. But I trust I have not spoken uncourteously, much less untruthfully. There are some minds that cannot speak well of their own favourites except at the expense of others. They cannot laud the Churchman without, to use a word of Sibbes's, ' depraving ' the Puritan, or the Puritan without impaling the Churchman. Such men would quench Orion that Saturn's rings may gleam the brighter. Whereas our dark world needs both, neeas ail its stars. Let them all shine. Our great names are not so numerous, either in Church or State, that we can afford to ob- scure any of our historic lights. Let all irradiate the firmament of fame.
(f) It would have unduly extended the ' Memoir ' to have in- cluded an analysis and estimate of the works of Sibbes, or a view of his ' opinions ' and ' character ' as reflected therein. This I hope to overtake in a short essay, to be given in the course of the issue of the works, in which I trust to be able to throw some little light on his relations to other writers and theirs to him, and per- chance to guide the casual reader to the treasures of rare thought, ripe wisdom, spiritual insight, beauty of illustration, sweetness of consolation, of this incomparable old worthy.
(g) The pleasant duty remains of returning my warm thanks to very many friends and correspondents. It were to savour of osten- tation to name all who have rendered assistance, or endeavoured to do so. But I must mention a few. To the Rev. John Eyton Bicker- steth Mayor, M.A., Fellow of St John's College ; the Rev. Charles Kirkby Robinson, M.A., Master of St Catherine's College ; Charles Henry Cooper, Esq., F.S.A., and Thompson Cooper, Esq., F.S.A. ; Mr Wallis, — all of Cambridge, I owe special acknowledgments for various favours, and for local inquiries most obligingly made and communicated. My thanks are similarly due to Dr Hessey, preacher of Gray's Inn, London ; and to the Rev. Paul M. Sted- man, vicar of Thurston ; the Rev. W. G. Tuck, rector of Tostock ; the Rev. A. H. Wratislaw, Bury St Edmunds, from each of whom I have received many tokens of their interest in my labours, as well by letter, as personally on occasion of a visit to Suffolk. From his Grace the Duke of Manchester ; Richard Almack, Esq., Mel- ford, Sudbury ; James Spedding, Esq., editor of Bacon ; Joshua Wilson, Esq., Nevill Park, Tunbridge Wells ; Edward Foss, Esq., Churchill House, Dover ; William Durrant Cooper, Esq., F.S.A. ; Albert Way, Esq., F.S.A. ; R. Siegfried, Esq., Trinity College, Dublin ; Jonathan B. Bright, Esq., Waltham, Massachusetts,