Preface

“Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost,” was the direction of our Saviour to his disciples, after he had fed the multitude. This may properly be applied to collecting and preserving the accounts of the lives of good men, who in their day have been eminently useful in those stations of life wherein God, by his good providence, has placed them. And this is more especially to be done, when they leave behind them, in writing, an account of their lives, and of the signal mercies of God to them therein. From such accounts may best be gathered, their particular state, and their exercise and growth in the work of restoration out of the fall and degeneracy; and, in the reading thereof, we may be not only incited to bless the name of the Lord, on their behalf, but also gain some instruction from the path so fairly laid out, and their ground of hope; that by being faithful, we may likewise attain the same good experience.