(Vol. ix., p. 104.)
A highly respected correspondent, DR. S. R. MAITLAND, has seen an
advertisement in the _Mercurius Reformatus_ of June 11, 1690, announcing
the intention of Bunyan's widow to publish ten manuscripts which her
husband had left prepared for the press, together with some of his printed
treatises which had become scarce. He inquires whether such a publication
took place. In reply I beg leave to state that they were published in a
small folio, containing "ten [and two fragments] of his excellent
manuscripts, and ten of his choice books formerly printed." The volume
bears the title of "The Works of that eminent Servant of Christ Mr. John
Bunyan, late Minister of the Gospel and Pastor of the Congregation at
Bedford. The first volume. London, by Wm. Marshall, 1692." It has the
portrait by Sturt, and an impression from the original curious copper-plate
inscribed, "A Mapp, showing the order and causes of Salvation and
Damnation." In addition to the _Mercurius_, John Dunton and others noticed,
in terms of warm approval, the intended publication, which became
extensively patronised, but has now become very scarce.
To the lovers of Bunyan it is peculiarly interesting, being accompanied by
a tract called "The Struggler," written by one of his affectionate and
intimate friends, the Rev. C. Doe, containing a list of Bunyan's works,
with the time when each of them was published, some personal characteristic
anecdotes, and thirty reasons why all decided Christians should read and
circulate these invaluable treatises. A copy presented to me by my worthy
friend the late Mr. Creasy of Sleaford, which is in remarkably fine
condition, has on the title to the Index a printed dedication to Sir John
Hartop of Newington, the patron and friend of Dr. Watts. This volume was to
have been followed by a second, to complete Bunyan's works, but
difficulties arose as to the copyright of the more popular pieces, which
prevented its publication. The original prospectus is preserved in the
British Museum, which, with "The Struggler" and a new index to the whole of
these truly excellent treatises, is reprinted in my edition of Bunyan's
whole works for the first time collected and published, with his Life, in
three volumes imperial 8vo., illustrated with fac-similes of all the old
woodcuts and many elegant steel plates.