ulous reader; while this subject has been in a great measure
neglected. (2.) We find it to have been the constant practice of the
Lord's people in all ages, to hand down and keep on record what the Lord
had done by and for their forefathers in former times. We find the royal
psalmist, in name of the church, oftener than once at this work, Psal.
xliv. and lxxviii. _We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have
told us, what works thou didst in their days, in the times of old: We
will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to
come the praises of the Lord_, &c. (3.) It has been the practice of
almost all nations (yea and our own also) to publish the warlike
exploits and martial atchievements of their most illustrious heroes, who
distinguished themselves in defence of their native country, for a
little worldly honour, or a little temporary subsistence; and shall we
be behind in publishing the lives, characters, and most memorable
actions of these _noble_ CHAMPIONS of Christ, who not only stood in
defence of religion and liberty, but also fought the battles of the Lord
against his and their avowed enemies, till in imitation of their
princely Master, their garments were all stained with blood, for which
their names shall be had in everlasting remembrance. (4.) As to the last
part of the objection, it must be granted, that in _foro homines_, their
actions and attainments cannot now be pled upon, but _in foro Dei_, that
which was lawful from the beginning cannot afterwards be made sinful[21]
or void; and the longer they have been buried under the ashes of neglect
and apostacy, the more need have they to be raised up and revived. It is
usual for men to keep that well which was left them by their fathers,
and for us either to oppose or industriously conceal any part of these
their contendings, were not only an addition to the contempt already
thrown upon the memories of these RENOWNED SIRES, but also an injury
done to posterity.--"Your honourable ancestors, with the hazard of their
lives, brought Christ into our lands, and it shall be cruelty to
posterity if ye lose him to them," said one of these worthies to a Scots
nobleman[22].

Again, some sceptical nullifidian or other may be ready to object
farther, "That many things related in this collection smell too much of
enthusiasm; and that several other things narrated therein, are beyond
all credit." But these we must suppose to be either quite ignorant