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SAMUEL LESSINGHAM, Esq.

Treasurer of St. Thomas's Hospital.

SIR.

MODESTY and self-diffidence are the allowed characteristics of SELF-KNOWLEDGE. If, then, my presuming to address this piece to you, may seem to discover more assurance and self-confidence than becomes a true acquaintance with the subject I write upon, I have only this to say; your known condescension and candour have encouraged that presumption: nor can any thing animate an address of this nature more, than an assurance, that the person, to whom it is made, has so good an understanding in the practical part of this subject, as will incline him to excuse the defects that may appear in the management of it.

But, after all, sir, my own proficiency in this science is so poor, that I dare not be confident I

am not wrong in my views, with which I desire this small tract may appear under your patronage. That it may have refuge from the petulance of censure, an encouragement in the publication, and I, at the same time, an opportunity of testifying my grateful sense of many past favours, are my open and avowed ends herein. But, still, whether an ambition to be known to the world, under the advantage of your friendship, be not the secret and true motive, I cannot be certain.

However, if, in this point, I may be mistaken, there is another in which I think I cannot; and that is, that it is at least a pardonable ambition; in which I shall certainly stand acquitted by every one who knows your character, the delicacy of your taste, in the choice of friends, and the real honour it does to those you are pleased to admit into that number.

But even this, sir, your penetration will soon discover to proceed from the same vanity I before suspected myself to be guilty of. And the world will judge, that I speak it rather to do myself honour than you. However, I am beforehand with them in the observation. And that I

may not be tempted, in this address, to enhance your character (according to the usual style of dedications), in order to do honour to my own, and at once oppress your modesty, and expose my vanity, I shall put an end to it, without so much as attempting to describe a character, which I shall, however, always aim to imitate.

But that you may continue to adorn that public and useful station you are in, and long live a patron and pattern of solid and disinterested virtue; and that your many charitable offices, and good works on earth, may meet with a large and late reward in heaven, is the hearty prayer of,

DORKING Jan. 31, 1744-5.

SIR,

Your much obliged,

And very humble servant,

J. MASON.

PREFACE.

THE subject of the ensuing Treatise is of great importance; and yet I do not remember to have seen it cultivated with that exactness, perspicuity, and force, with which many other moral and theological themes have been managed. And, indeed, it is but rarely that we find it particularly and fully recommended to us, in a set and regular discourse, either from the pulpit or the press. This consideration, together with a full persuasion of its great and exten. sive usefulness, hath put me upon an endeavou, in this manner, to render it more familiar to the minds of Christians.

Mr. Baxter, indeed, has a treatise professedly upon this subject, entitled, The Mischief of SelfIgnorance, and the Benefit of Self-Acquaintance, and I freely acknowledge some helps I received from him but he hath handled it (according to his manner) in so lax and diffuse a way, introdu

cing so many things into it that are foreign from it, omitting others that properly belong to it, and skimming over some with a too superficial notice, that I own I found myself much disapappointed in what I expected from him, and was convinced that there wanted something more correct, nervous, and methodical, to be written on this subject.

I am far from having the vanity to think, that this, which I now offer to the public, is entirely free from those faults which I have remarked in that pious and excellent author; and I am sensible, that, if I do not fall under a much heavier censure myself, it must be owing to the great candour of my reader, which he will be convinced I have some title to, if he but duly consider the nature and extent of the subject. For it is almost impossible to let the thoughts run freely upon so copious and comprehensive a theme, in order to do justice to it, without taking too large a scope in some particulars that have a near atfinity to it, as I fear I have done (Part i. chap.. xiv.) concerning the knowledge, guard, and government of the thoughts.