Poems in Two Parts, Title page 1 – To the reader 1
POEMS IN TWO PARTS.
First, An Interlocutory Discourse concerning the Creation, Fall, and Recovery of Man.
Secondly, A Dialogue between Faith and a Doubting Soul.
By SAMVEL SLATER.
LONDON: Printed for Tho. Cockeril at the Three Legs in the Poultry, 1679.
TO THE READER.
Courteous Reader,
AN itch of Scribling and appearing in Print, hath not seiz'd me, though I must confess my self easily perswaded to draw up this following Discourse. An account of my publishing the Dialogue between Faith and a doubting Soul you will find before it. That being delivered to the Book-seller, and by him communicated to some of my Brethren, they were pleased to signifie their approbation thereof, wishing withal, it might be accompanied with something about the Fall of Man. The motion I readily closed with, and so set to work in the midst of many affairs, and under a very tenacious and afflictive distemper. Yet I have in short time finished it, and now send it abroad. Be pleased to give it a fair and friendly reception. If thou dost not like some things in it, no more do I, yet have not leisure to mend them. I was much taken with Learned Mr. Miltons Cast and Fancy in his Book, viz. PARADISE LOST. Him I have followed much in his method, and have been otherwise beholding to, how much I leave thee to judg; but I have used a more plain and familiar stile, because I conceive it most proper. Cast a mantle of love over failings wherever thou findest them, and either do better, or accept this from
Thy Cordial Friend, SA. SLATER. Febr. 6. 1678/9.