that I cannot but promife my felf, You will tafte the fweet Refreshments they bring, if thefe Meditations fhall be allowed the Privilege of bearing you Company in your most melancholy Řetírements.

My Defign in Publishing this Book, as it now appears, was to recommend, and render it ferviceable to all Chriftian Readers in general. But among Them there is not Any, in contributing to whofe Benefit and Satisfaction I should esteem my Labours more fuccessfully answered, than to Yours. Who have by fo many Inftances of Goodness obliged me to be with all poffible Sincerity and Respect,

MADA M,

Your most Affectionate Coufin,

and most Humble Servant,

GEO. STANHOPE.

THE

THE

PREFACE

TO THE

READER.

T

HE Reputation of this Little Book, with which the Reader is here prefented seems abundantly established, by the great Pains taken to communicate it to Mankind, in moft Languages of the Chriftian World. But, fince the English Verfion, hitherto in use, was in fome Places grown obfolete, and in many fell short of that Life and Spirit requifite for fuch Devotional Tracts, it was thought expe→ dient to recommend it by a Style more modern, and a little better fuited to Subjects of this Na

ture.

In this Attempt the Latin of Caftalio is chiefly followed; He hath taken fome Liberty in places peculiarly relating to the Romish Supertitions. And the prefent Tranflator hath not only trodden in his Steps thus far; but, in the Chapters which concern a Monkish Life particularly, hath endeavoured fo to exprefs himfelf for the most part, as that fuch Meditations might be accommodated to the Circumftances of

A 3

any

any Pious Chriftian, who declines the Pleafures and Bufinefs, and other Interruptions of the World, and fequefters himself to the Exercife of Devotion and feyerer Virtues.

This was thought moft agreeable to the great Design he had in view, That of rendering thefe Reflections of general Ufe to the World. For which reafon also, he hath not been nicely close in many of the Flights ufual with, thefe Contemplative and Myftical Divines. Thinking it better, either to give thofe Rapturous Paffages another Turn; or, by Additions and IlJustrations of his own, to bring them down to the common Condition of Human Life, and fit them for the Mouths of every Sincere Practical Chriftian.

In order to preserve the Zeal and Spirit of the Author, it was found neceffary, fometimes to abridge, and at others to enlarge a Thought, and carry it a little higher. All which the Reader hath this Warning of, to prevent any Objections which might otherwise be raised, against the Faithfulness of an Undertaking, intended, not fo much to acquaint Englishmen what Kempis thought, as to convey thofe Thoughts with fome Degree of that Sprightlinefs and Affectionate Warmth, which the Original Compofer at first felt from them.

And because the Reader will perhaps expect fome Account of Him, here follows in brief the Subftance of what Rofweid hath delivered concerning him.

"This Thomas was called a Kempis from a "little Village of that Name, in the Diocese "of Cologne, where he was Born in the Year "of our Lord 1380. His Parentage and Fortune were mean; At Thirteen Years old he

began his Studies, and about Nineteen be"took himself to a Monaftery of Auguftin "Monks: About Five and Twenty he took "the Habit of that House and Order. There "he continued, for the fpace of Seventy Years, particularly eminent for his Piety, Humility, diligent Study of the Holy Scriptures, Aufterity of Life, moving Eloquence in Difcourse, and extraordinary Zeal in Prayer. "For his Perfon, He was of a middle Stature, "of a strong brown Complexion, a lively pierc

ing Eye, and a Sight fo good, that though "he laboured much under other Infirmities of "Old Age, yet he was never reduced to the "Ufe of Spectacles. He died July 25. 1471, "in the Ninety fecond Year of his Age.

As to the Dispute whether this Book were of his Compofition, I am content to submit to common Fame, and leave him in quiet Poffeffion: Not seeing of what Confequence it can be to call his Title in queftion, or examine into the Merits of other Pretenders.