An enlarged series of extracts from the diary

Front matter

AN ENLARGED SERIES Of

FROM

* THE DIARY, MEDITATIONS AND LETTERS

Preface

TO THE ENLARGED SERIES.

Dr. JOHNSON has remarked that— " There has been scarcely any man eminent for the extent of his capacity, or the greatness of his exploits, that has not left behind him some memorial of lonely dignity and silent wisdom;" and the remark is not inapplicable to the Author of the manuscripts from which the present volume is compiled. He did not, it is true, rank with men distinguished for science, but his abilities were of no ordinary description; and, without pretending to deeds that procure the renown by which mankind is too commonly dazzled, he exhibited what are incomparably superior, a mind ardently devoted to the glory of God, and a life spent in unwearied exertions for the best interests of his fellow-creatures. Eminent for the exercise of personal religion, he was signally successful in diffusing piety among all whom Providence had placed within the sphere of his influence. The name of Joseph Williams ranks, indeed, unusually high in the list of laymen who have distinguished themselves in the cause of vital religion ; nor can every minister rejoice

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in more numerous instances of turning sinners ' from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God,'

The authors of the " History of Dissenters," have given a sketch of the life of Mr. Williams, which they commence with these words: — " As the example of eminent ministers, which ecclesiastical history presents, is so frequently rendered inefficient to private Christians by the notion that their superior religion was a professional excellence, which is not to be expected from those who are employed in secular affairs : the same propensity to excuse ourselves from resembling the eminent, may have induced some to remark —That the memoirs which we have given of persons not in the ministry were taken from the higher ranks of life, when independent circumstances, and freedom from the distractions of business, render devotedness to the service of God and his church comparatively easy. It is, therefore, with peculiar pleasure, that we now introduce to our readers a devout tradesman, whose religion, excellent for its own superiority to the ordinary standard, becomes still more valuable for the stimulus it furnishes to the great mass of mankind, who must ever, like him, be occupied with the labours of a secular calling."*

* Vol. iv. page 14,

Preface To The Enlarged Series. V

Few books have been more acceptable to the religious public than the Diary of this excellent man, edited by the Rev. B. Fawcett, M. A. ; concerning which, the authors just alluded to, after stating, that — V The solicitude which Mr. Williams manifested for the salvation of his children, by writing such Letters as would do honour to any pen, was recompensed by the exquisite delight of seeing their early and decided piety," add, that—" his Diary forms his highest eulogium, and may be pronounced one of the most useful books which a Christian tradesman can read ;" they might also have added — or which can he read by a Christian in any situation of life. To examine the productions of genius, even in narratives of fiction, is gratifying to persons of taste ; but, to minds piously disposed, it is far more delightful, and infinitely more profitable, to pursue in a register of religious experience, the gradations by which degenerate nature rises towards

— " The highest style of man."

The reader who may wish to learn by what means the new matter comprised in this Enlarged Series of Extracts from the Diary, &c. of Mr. Williams has been procured, is informed, that- Time has released from any farther obligation to privacy many articles which, in the opinion of

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the Rev. B. Fawcett, * it was necessary to omit, ' when he prepared his edition. But a principal part has been derived from the short-hand manuscripts of Mr. Williams, which the possessors from time to time, carefully preserved, in the hope that although to themselves the contents, were as a sealed book, they might possibly be deciphered at a future period ; and the Editor having made short-hand, as exhibited by all the systems he has been able to obtain, his particular study for many years, has accomplished the deciphering of his revered great-grandfathers papers with complete success. From this circumstance he has been able to avail himself of the important advantage of collating the abridged transcript made by Mr. Williams in long-hand, with the several articles as they were originally composed m the actual order of time and events ; w T hich has induced him to make slight alterations in some parts of the work previously published by Mr. Fawcett, by using the present instead of the past tense. Some transpositions of whole articles, have also been made, in consequence of the alteration of the calendar not having been regarded in those instances. To give additional interest to the work, the Names of the several parties alluded to (which prudence might require the compiler of the first edition to omit) are now nearly all introduced ; and in most instances too, the Superscriptions to the epistolary matter are

PREFACE TO THE ENLARGED SERIES. Vll

given; several Notes, are also added, some of which are biographical. The method of distinguishing the old and new matter is pointed out in the Table of Contents ; by turning to which, a great number of articles will be found to be entirely new ; and to some of the articles formerly published, additions, of greater or less extent, have been made, which, however, could not be conveniently particularized. The Letters and Extracts at the close of the volume will undoubtedly be read with interest by all who venerate the memory of Mr. Williams, as they serve to shew, how much he had been esteemed in life, and was lamented in death.

For the valuable matter derived from the kindness of individuals who are in possession of letters, &c. the Editor's acknowledgments are particularly due to the Rev. Frederick Hamilton of Brighton, the Rev. Richard Pearsall Allen of Exeter, James Kirkpatrick of the Isle of Wight, Esq. and his sister, Mrs. Silver, relict of Thomas Silver, M. D. of Portsmouth, Joseph Bunnell of London, Esq. Joseph Watson of Highbury-place, Esq. and his sisters, Mrs. Addington and Mrs. Walker of Kidderminster, and to the two daughters of the late Mr. Joseph Green of Bristol. To the Rev. John Humphry s of London, and the Rev. Joseph Berry of Warminster, the Editor returns his sincere thanks for

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prompt attentions to his inquiries ; nor can lie forget other friends and relatives who have rendered him important services : viz. Mr. Samuel Hanbury of Westminster, the eldest surviving descendant of Mr. Williams ; Mr. John Hanbury of London, the Editor's father; Messrs. t Henry, William, and Benjamin Penn, and Mrs. Osborne, all now or late of Kidderminster. Finally, the Editor with pleasure records his obligations to the Rev. Samuel Fawcett, son of the former Editor, for the very handsome manner in which he has expressed his approbation of the design of publishing this Enlarged Series, and from whose letter he takes the liberty to make the following extract:— 4 ' Yeovil, May 27, 1814.— Though I have not the pleasure of knowing you, I am happy to find you are a descendant of Mr. Williams ; and still more, that you value the memory, and inherit any degree of the taste and spirit of that venerable man. I am glad you have undertaken to publish an enlarged edition of his Diary, which I doubt not will be highly acceptable to the serious part of the Christian world. Truly happy should I have been to have furnished you with any additional materials for that work ; but, after a careful examination of my father's papers, I have not discovered any by Mr. Williams, or particularly relating to him. Sincerely wishing you success in all your good undertakings, and all that happiness which is to be

Preface To The Enlarged Series. IX

derived from walking in the steps of your pious ancestors, I am, dear sir, yours very respectfully, S. R"

The Work as it now appears in its complete state, is respectfully submitted to the patronage of the religious public, by which, the labours of the former Editor have been so highly approved.

B. HANBURY.

8, Temple-place, Blackfriars-road,

PREFACE

TO THE EDITION OF 1779.

L HE private papers of Mr. Joseph Williams would have been published long ago, if the desires of many of his friends could have been gratified. Though the Publisher was for many years favoured with Mr. Williams's intimate friendship, and well knew that his Diary and Meditations were voluminous, yet he had no opportunity of perusing them till twenty-two years after the decease of the excellent writer. His widow would never suffer them to go out of her hands, during the four years in which she survived him. And after her death, his three daughters, whom Providence had placed at a great distance from each other, having agreed to enjoy the manuscript by turns, were so eager to extend their separate privilege from year to year, as absolutely to prevent others from sharing with them in their satisfaction.

Such of Mr. Williams's writings as were published in his lifetime were anonymous. There are three poetical compositions of his in the Gen-

PREFACE TO THE EDITION OF 1779. xi

tl email's Magazine for 1736,* under fictitious names, which the reader will find in the following pages, placed in the order of time to which all these Extracts are reduced.

In 1740, Mr. Williams published a pamphlet, entitled — The Principal Causes of some late Divisions in Dissenting Churches traced to their Origin, in a Letter from a Dissenter in the Country. He submitted his manuscript to the critical inspection of Dr. Watts, and made some considerable additions to it at the Doctors recjuest.

In 1748, came out his Abridgment of the Rev. David BrainercVs Journal among the Indians; with Dr. Doddridge's Dedication of it, To the honourable Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge ; in which the Doctor represents the compiler as " determined to conceal his name."

It was certainly the farthest from Mr. Williams's intention, that his Diary and Meditations should be published after his death, and with his name. His first copy of thfem was in short-hand, which none of his relations were able to

* It has been ascertained that the whole number hfour : viz. two in 1736, one in 1738, and one m 1739. See pages 90, 95, 97 and 134.

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read ; but lie himself wrote an abridgment of it in long-hand, for the use, as he expressly mentioned, of his children and their descendants ; and which is now made public at the request of his only surviving daughter, his numerous grandchildren, and many other of his near relations.

The title of Extracts is given to the following pages, because it was necessary to omit many things, even in Mr. Williams's abridged copy, that either related to the private concerns of particular persons, families, and religious socie ties, or that were merely of a controversial nature. Indeed, for the greater part of the following pages, we are indebted to the kindness of some, who had been Mr. Williams's correspondents, or who happened to have any of his letters or other writings in their possession.

What is here presented to the reader, contains a comprehensive review of a life devoted to God from early to advanced age, from about seven years old, to his entrance on his sixty-fourth year. Almost every year, in so long a period, affords a distinct date to some instructive or entertaining particulars, each of which is placed in the order of time ; as that appeared, on the whole, to be the most eligible arrangement. By this means a more just idea of Mr. Williams's real character may be formed, than could have

PREFACE TO THE EDITION OF 1779. xiii

been by a funeral sermon, where flattery is so often introduced, that the simplicity of the most obvious truth is ready to be suspected. To such truth, the Publisher apprehended himself strictly to adhere, when, immediately returning from his friends grave, he endeavoured, in a discourse from these words of the Apostle — c JBe ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ ,' to hold him up to the imitation of surrounding multitudes, as an example of eminent piety, whether we viewed him in his own house, or in the house of God, or in his transacting the affairs of trade, or in his zeal for promoting the honour of xl and the interest of Christ in the world. ri-

ant as such particulars were, in their pe liar reference to Mr. Williams, yet the Publisher is well persuaded, that these Extracts are much better calculated to satisfy and improve every mind, not excepting those who were personally acquainted with the deceased, and who recollect his genius, learning, and retentive memory, his various reading, and distinguishing faculty for entertaining and profiting all that conversed with him.

Here, it is humbly hoped, Christians of very different attainments in the divine life, whether weak or strong in faith ; whether engaged in painful conflicts with their spiritual enemies, or triumphing over them ; may see reason to conclude,

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that ' as in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.' — -Here the men of trade and worldly business may learn the perfect consistence between the duties of life and of godliness, between their minding earth and making sure of heaven, and how absurd and iniquitous it is, to make light of religion, and ' go their ways,' in the neglect of it, ' one to his farm, another to his merchandise.' They may here perceive, how rational and scriptural it is, to ' acknowledge God in all their ways,' and thereby turn success or disappointment, prosperity or adversity, into occasions of greater nearness and devotedness to God, more cordial delight in him, and fuller enjoyment of him. — Here the lovers of learning and science may trace the labours necessary for attaining self-knowledge. — Here the proud and passionate may discern, that the difficulties of 'being clothed with humility,' and of * putting on the incorruptible ornament of a meek and quiet spirit,' are not insurmountable. — Here the indolent and slothful have a convincing proof, that ' the kingdom of heaven sufFereth violence, and the violent take it by force.' — Here they ' who did run well,' but were easily * hindered, that they should not obey the truth,' are taught, both the duty and happiness, of being ' stedfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.' — Here doubting and trembling souls, with all their load of per-

Preface To The Edition Of 1779. XV

plexity and uneasiness concerning their eternal state, have before them an example of one, who, in some seasons of his life, exactly resembled themselves; though, at other times, he * rejoiced with joy unspeakable, and full of glory.' — Here parents and heads of families are prompted to try themselves, whether they are manifesting their own piety by earnest endeavours to ' form Christ in' their children and servants, and what disinterested, zealous, and prudent measures they are pursuing for the present and everlasting happiness of the next generation, that when they themselves die, their successors may ■ arise up, and call them blessed.' — Even the most devout and heavenly minds will here have the pleasure to see, what they themselves feel, that Mr. Williams never thought himself ' already perfect,' but was ever restless in his desires and endeavours to love God more ardently, to have greater zeal and success in doing good to others, and that he himself ' might win Christ, and be found in him.'

These histories of pious reflection, these devout exercises of the heart, while they were in manuscript, were blessed as the means of beginning piety in some, and of reviving it in others of Mr. Williams's descendants. May divine grace assist readers of every age and character, of every condition and relation, so

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to improve them, as to ' be followers of him, who through faith and patience inherits the promises.'

B. FAWCJETT.

Kidderminster,

# This eminent minister was born Aug. 16, 1715, and died Oct. 18, 1780. Ample testimony is borne to his diligence and zeal in the ensuing pages ; but, for farther particulars, reference may be made to a funeral sermon by the Rev. Thomas Tayler, late of Carter-lane, London ; which is prefixed to the last edition of a very valuable work by Mr. F. entitled — The Grand Inquiry. In Mr. T.'s discourse will be found a succinct, but interesting account of Mr. Fawcett; with a correct list of his labours for the press, to the number of twenty-four. Other particulars of Mr. F. are contained in — Letters to Dissenting Ministers, &c, from the Rev. Job Orton ; with potes, &c. by the Rev. S» Palmer: 2 vols. 12mo. 1806.