In the latter editions of this work, the author has been solicitous to make it acceptable, not only to persons of mature years, but also to many in younger life. As the characters which it contains, exhibit a great variety of striking and animating views of piety and virtue, and strongly recommend the Christian religion in particular; he indulges a hope, that instructors of youth will deem it a suitable book to be read, occasionally, by the higher classes of their pupils. It is of great importance to impress young minds with favorable sentiments of virtue and goodness; and to convince them, by practical evidence, that religion affords the best support and enjoyment, in this life, and the only sure ground of happiness in the world to come. To render the performance more instructive, as well as more interesting, the author has introduced into it many important moral sentiments, and many reflections of a religious nature, as well as a considerable portion of useful, biographical information. The introductory narratives relative to the subjects of the work, will, he presumes, be found intimately connected with its chief design. They gratify curiosity, respecting the general character of the persons whose solemn sentiments are exhibited; they confer additional importance on the testimonies in favor of religion; and they relieve the mind from the effect, which a succession of deeply serious matter would occasion. JOB-SOLOMON-CYRUS-CONFUCIUS-SOCRATES-STE- PHEN, THE PROTOMARTYR-THE APOSTLE PAUL-IGNA- TIUS-POLYCARP-THE VENERABLE BEDE-LOUIS IX. CARDINAL WOLSEY-SIR JOHN MASON-EMPEROR CHARLES V. SIR THOMAS SMITH - BERNARD GILPIN —JANE, QUEEN OF NAVARRE-SIR FRANCIS WALSINGHAM-LA- SIR PHILIP SIDNEY-SIR CHRISTOPHER HATTON-LORD BACON-SIR HENRY WOTTON-PETER DU MOULIN— DOCTOR DONNE-PHILIP III. KING OF SPAIN-CATHA- RINE BRETTERG-OXENSTIERN, CHANCELLOR OF SWEDEN THE PROTOMARTYR-THE APOSTLE PAUL-IGNATIUS-POLYCARP-LOUIS IX. KING OF FRANCE-POPE EUGENIUS-CARDINAL BEAUFORT-CESAR BORGIA. SECTION I. THE PATRIARCH JOB. THIS venerable patriarch was so eminent an instance of the power of religion on the mind, under the most trying afflictions, that a short account of him may properly introduce these memoirs. In the first part of his days, this distinguished person was "the greatest of all the men of the East." His possessions were large; his family was numerous and flourishing; his own character was fair and blameless: yet this person it pleased God to visit with extraordinary reverses of fortune. He was robbed of his whole substance. |