Animadversions on the Books of Mr Williams, Postscript – Errata
POSTSCRIPT.
Reader,
THeſe Sheets were prepared to be Printed before Michaelmas Term, and to come out then. I ſignified my intention of Printing them to Mr. Ws. thinking that by an Anſwer to my Letter I ſhould ſee his mind how he would take it. he wrote me no Anſwer, ſo that about a Week after I put them to the Preſs, and thought he was indifferent, and like to be concerned no more about theſe Animadverſions than my others on his former Writings: But after two or three Sheets were Printed, or Compoſed, a Friend of his came to one, and told me. that ſuch and ſuch Books were coming out againſt Mr. Ws. and he caſt down about it, and that it would be a cruel thing in me who was a friend to fall upon him, when he was like to he Aſſaulted with Enemies. I had moreover a Letter out of Staffordſhire, Porſon of Quality, who wrote, that he was informed from, ſome worthy hands in London, that I was about to write a Book againſt Mr. Ws. and he perceived they had rather I ſhould wave it; but he thought good to acquaint me only with what was written, and leave the matter to my prudent determination. The Reaſon which theſe Worthy Perſons (who ſo ever they are) did urge for this was, left the Diſſenters differing among themſelves, ſhould give advantage at this ſeaſon to ſome as would (if they could) deprive: them of their Liberty. I was content therefore upon Mr. Ws. ſpeaking himſelf to the Bookſeller, to let the Book be ſtopt thus long, till he, and his Friend may ſee, there is no ſuch Books coming out againſt him, nor any danger of our loſing any Liberty; nor indeed any Controverſie or Difference as to the main Doctrine of Juſtification, wherein Mr. Ws. and I agree with Mr. Baxter, but only in regard to a peculiar Notion of his, which I do exagitate only, to get him to retract and relinquiſh it, which ſeeing I could not do by private Advice, I would by publick Judgment. For though I could be willing to let the Book be delayed, I could not yield to have it ſuppreſt, unleſs upon the condition that I might have half a dozen of the whole Copy Printed out for my Vindication, in caſe I ſhould need it, as knowing that many could not chuſe but have a mind to ſee that Book, which ſome was ſo earneſt to have ſtopt, and not doubting but the moſt of the Judicious of either Party, will be ready to ſubſcribe to the words of the forementioned perſon (unto whom as one ſo well learned, and ſtudied in the Point, a deference may be paid) which I will ſet down for the conviction of Mr. Ws's. Friends (who may do more with him than I) ſeeing the publication can do that perſon no hurt, and may do Mr. Ws. good. His words at the end of his Letter to me are theſe; I am of Opinion Mr. Williams will not be able to anſwer what you ſay; He has endeavoured to go in a middle way between both, but his notion will not bold; He muſt come over to one ſide, or the other.
ERRATA.
PAge 11 line 7 for prudent read pregnant, p. 13 l. 8 r. Sydonifts, l. 33 mend the pointing, p. 17 l. 6 put the Parentheſis at diſobedient, l. 34 for faults 1. fault, p. 20 l. 15 for obliged 1. obeyed, p. 21 l. 12 make the fulpoint after ſe a comma, and l. 15 put out the fulpoint after redemption, p. 30 l. 7 for but r. he.
FINIS.
End of the text · John Humfrey, Animadversions on the Books of Mr Williams (1699)