PREFACE. XXX111 



it seems to differ from the spirit which moved 

 upon the mind of Lord Bacon ; (a) and if the MSS. 



of the Characteristics was published. The following is a copy 

 of the title page of this tract : Characteristics of a Believing 

 Christian in Paradoxes and Seeming Contradictions. By 

 Francis Bacon, Baron of Verulam, Viscount of St. Alban, and 

 Lord High Chancellor of England, with a Preface by a Cler 

 gyman. The Third Edition. London, Printed by M. Lewis, in 

 Paternoster Row, 1762, (Price one Penny.) The following is the 

 Preface: In order to prevent a misconstruction of the following 

 paradoxes, it may be needful to inform the reader, that when 

 rightly considered, they are no ways ludicrous, sarcastical or 

 prophane, but solid, comfortable and godly truths, taught by 

 the Holy Ghost in the school of experience, and well understood 

 by them who are truly Christians. I do not say, that every babe 

 in Christ can understand them all, but this I think I may ven 

 ture to affirm, he that understands none of them, hath not yet 

 learned his A. B. C. in the school of Christ. But if any should 

 ask me, why I choose to publish his lordship s paradoxes rather 

 than any other? I answer 1st, Because, though very compre 

 hensive, yet they are but short, and may therefore be easily 

 purchased by the poorer sort of Christians. 2ndly, That the 

 minute philosophers and ignoble gentlemen of our day might 

 hence be taught, that a fine gentleman, a sound scholar, and a 

 great philosopher, may be a Christian; since we find not only 

 Paul, a Justin Martyr, &c. but even in our own nation, so 

 great a philosopher as my Lord Bacon, espousing and confess 

 ing the Christian verity. In a word, reader, if thou under- 

 standest these few paradoxes, bless God for them ; if thou 

 understandest them not, thou mayest, like the Eunuch, call in 

 some Philip to thy assistance: but above all permit me to advise 

 thee to ask of the Father of Lights, who giveth wisdom liberally 

 and upbraideth not. I am, for Christ s sake, thy Friend and 

 Servant, F. GREEN. 



(a) Take any, for instance Paradox 34. &quot; His Advocate, his 

 VOL. VII. d 



