(Vol. iv., p. 92.)
As some of your readers may be aware, there is an old and somewhat
valuable library in the vestry of All Saints Church, Maidstone, which
was partly purchased by the parishioners of the executors of Dr. Bray
(who bequeathed his books to any parish which would advance fifty pounds
as a consideration for the value of them), and was afterwards increased
by the munificence of several benefactors.
Up to the year 1810, when the present catalogue was made, it would
appear that but little, or at any rate very insufficient, care was taken
of these books; for Mr. Finch, who rearranged the library and wrote the
catalogue, carefully correcting the inaccuracies in the former one,
declares, in a note that he has placed at the commencement, dated
October 1, 1810, that he "found many valuable books missing, and a still
larger number irretrievably damaged by the incursions of worms and
damp."
The number of volumes missing and decayed amounted to about 100, whilst
the number remaining in the library appears to have been 710, and their
gross value about 165_l._
Since 1810 far greater care seems to have been bestowed on them, for but
few, very few, volumes mentioned in the catalogue then made are missing,
and a daily fire during the winter months tends greatly to prevent their
further injury by damp.
I will not, however, trouble you with any further remarks about the
library itself, but proceed at once to the subject of my note, which is
to offer for your acceptance three proverbs (which I have met with in
reading one of the books) as an addition to the valuable collection
lately sent by your correspondent COWGILL.
The book from which I have derived them is a small quarto, containing
the following tracts or treatises; but whether any or all of them are
now but rarely to be met with, I know not.
1st. "The Heresiography, or a description of the Hereticks and
Sectaries of these latter times, by E. Pagitt. 5th edit. London,
1654."
2nd. "An apologie for our publick ministerie and infant baptism,
by William Lyford, B.D. and Minister of the Gospel at Sherborn in
Dorcetshire. London, 1653."
3rd. "The Font guarded with XX arguments, containing a compendium
of that great controversie of Infant Baptism, proving the
lawfulness thereof; as being grounded on the word of God,
agreeable to the Practice of all Reformed churches: together with
the concurrent consent of a whole jury of judicious and pious
divines. With a word to one Collier and another to Mr. Tombs, in
the end of the Book. Birmingham, 1651."
4th. "Vindiciæ, Pædo-Baptismi, or A Vindication of Infant Baptism
in a Full Answer to Mr. Tombs his twelve arguments alleaged
against it in his exercitation, and whatsoever is rational or
material in his answer to Mr. Marshall's sermon. By John Geree,
M.A. and Preacher of the Word sometime at Tewksbury, but now at
St. Albanes. London, 1646."
5th. [Title-page wanting, but it appears to have been this:] "The
Gangrene of Heresie, or A catalogue of many of the Errours,
Blasphemies, and Practices of the Sectaries of the time, with some
observations upon them. By Thomas Edwards, 1650."
6th. "The Patrimony of Christian Children, or A defence of Infants
Baptisme prooved to be consonant to the Scriptures and will of God
against the erroneous positions of the Anabaptists. By Robert
Cleaver, with the joynt consent of Mr. John Dod. London, 1624."
These six treatises contain from 80 to 220 pages each, and in reading
them I have noted the three following "sententious truths," which I hope
may be thought worthy to be added to the much larger number contributed
by COWGILL. The first is from the lines of Beriah Philophylax to his
friend Mr. Thomas Hall, which is prefixed to his "Font Guarded;" and the
other two from Edwards' "Gangrene of Heresie,"--
1st. "Answers are Honours to a Scold,
And make her spirit much more bold."