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
