AN HISTORICAL RELATION OF THE LIFE OF MR. JOSEPH LISTER, LATE OF THE SOCIETY AT Kippin; CONTAINING AN AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT OF THE SIEGE OF BRADFORD, &c. Whoso is wise, will observe these things. BRADFORD: PRINTED AND SOLD BY W. H. BLACKBURN, MARKET- AND LUMB, KEIGHLEY; &c. 1821 ADVERTISEMENT. 000000 An old Manuscript, containing the following "Life of Mr. Joseph Lister,' having fallen into the hands of the Editor, he was so much struck with its simple beauty and unvarnished artlessness, that he determined to give it greater publicity, by presenting it to the world, through the medium of the press. This little work will be found to comprise matters of great local interest to the inhabitants of this Town and neighbourhood, as it contains the only full historical account of the Siege of Bradford.' This work is also worthy of general attention; inasmuch as it contains an interesting sketch of the life of a pious man -exhibits before the reader a close review of private manners and domestic life, as they existed nearly two centuries ago and details some of the minor transactions, connected with that bloody civil war, which desolated this Kingdom and preceded and accompanied the usurpation of Oliver Cromwell, the Protector of the Commonwealth. The description of these horrors of war, will lead the pious reader to be thankful to the Giver of every blessing, that the "clashing of conflicting hosts, and the shouts of battle," have not been heard in our favoured land, for a long series of years; and will induce him fervently pray, that 'there may be peace and truth in our days,' and 'that wars and fightings may cease to the ends of the earth.' to The Editor has taken the liberty, in some instances, to alter the phraseology of the manuscript, where the expression appeared to be too complicated and quaint, to be easily intelligible to a merely modern reader. Many more alterations might have been made, and perhaps, to advantage; the only reason that prevented the Editor from making them, was a fear of rubbing off that venerable rustiness of phrase, which, by its antique simplicity, proves the work to be authentic. I was born on June the 7th, 1627, at Bradford, in Yorkshire, of godly and religious Parents. My Father died when I was about six years old, and left five children, (viz.) Mary, John, Grace, myself and Ruth. I was brought up at School, and my godly Mother would gladly have had me to have been a scholar; but I had no mind to it. Howbeit, having a free school in the Town, I was continued there many years; but was averse to learning, being much inclined to play about, with my fellows. My dear Mother took great care to instruct me, and was a woman that would pass by small faults, yet would not wink at sin; but prevented it in me as much as she could, and corrected me for what she found me guilty of. I then thought she was too severe, yet I have seen contrary many a time since. |