FRIENDS' FAMILY LIBRARY. VOL. I. MEMOIRS OF ISAAC PENINGTON: AND SELECTIONS FROM THE LETTERS AND PAPERS OF WILLIAM GROVER. OF THE LIFE OF ISAAC PENINGTON; TO WHICH IS ADDED A REVIEW OF HIS WRITINGS: BY JOSEPH GURNEY BEVAN. Philadelphia: THOMAS KITE, 64 WALNUT STREET. Bought ω Baldwin 6-4-37 INTRODUCTION. THE character of a man may be known by his writings: and it must be allowed of greater importance to inspect the thoughts of a virtuous man, than simply to know the outward circumstances of his life. But when we are pleased or edified with the writings of an author of distinction, we become naturally curious to know the manner in which he passed his time: and, on the other hand, if we are led from the perusal of biography, to believe that the subject of it was a person qualified to please or to edify, we are disposed to continue our ac quaintance, by perusing also the memorials of his wisdom which he has left behind him. It is chiefly on the former account that a collection of the few scattered accounts of the life of Isaac Penington would be, if well executed, a useful work. His numerous tracts have been three times edited, and lie open to the access of every one. They are generally grateful and consolatory to that class of readers which is composed of persons who feel their own feeble state, with respect to religious concerns; and desire to be, so far as it is right they should be, assisted by the experience of others. But two quarto, or four octavo volumes, closely printed, are, to many, formidable things; and it is certain too, that considerable attention of mind is a requisite qualification, and considerable calmness of mind very desirable one, to sit down to the perusal of the valuable remains of this eminent Friend. Cursory readers, also, have imputed to Isaac Penington the charge of mysticism; a term, as generally used, of not the most definite import, but sometimes sufficient to deter the impatient from examining for themselves into the justice of the charge. A 2 |