enlighten'd, and having ſuch wonderful Diſcoveries revealed and intruſted to me, I did not give them ſome Foretaſt of theſe ſurpriſing Scenes, which Fate is to open to Mankind, in future Ages.
Nor was this all, for to ſay the Truth, when I ſaw evidently in theſe Papers, that the World and my Deſcendant's Miniſtry would end together; I was the more willing to have my Fame and his laid open to the preſent Age, ſince it was impoſſible for future Times to do us Juſtice, by aſſigning us that ſhining place in Hiſtory, which Printing theſe Volumes will ſo fully entitle us to. Thoſe great Perſons, whoſe Writings or Actions diſtinguiſh'd them ſo much in former Ages, have had a large recompence made them, by the Honour and Applauſe that has long been heap'd on them; but as my Fame had been entirely conceal'd, and his reduc'd to take up with the ſhort-liv'd Applauſe of a few Years, in his old Age, the Dregs of Life, and the laſt Moments of the World, I reſolv'd to be before-hand with the Glory of my ſelf and Family, and to enjoy ſome part of our Reputation before we had earn'd it. And while I make this ſincere Confeſſion, let me take this opportu-nity
