TO discourse largely of the necessity and use of this piece of spiritual armour, after so many learned and useful Treatises, upon this subject, may seem super fluous, especially considering that there is much spoken to this purpose, for thy satisfaction, in the ensuing Treatise; wherein, besides the unfolding of the nature of this duty, (which is the Saints daily exercise) and strong enforcement to it, there is an endeavour to give satisfaction in the most incident cases, want of clearing whereof is usually an hindrance to the cheerful, and ready performance thereof. In all which, what hath been done by this Reverend and worthy man, we had rather should appear in the Treatise it self, to thy indifferent judgement, then to be much in setting down our own opinion. This we doubt not of, that, by reason of the spiritual, and convincing manner of handling this Argument, it will win acceptance with many, especially considering, that it is of that nature, wherein, though much have been spoken, yet much more may be said with good relish to those that have any spiritual sense: for it is the most spiritual action, wherein we have nearer communion with God, then in any other holy performance, and whereby it ⟨image 3⟩pleaseth God to convey all good to us, to the performance whereof Christians find most backwardness, and indisposedness, and from thence most dejection of spirit; which also in these times, is most necessary, wherein, unless we fetch help from heaven, this way, we see the Church and Cause of God like to be trampled under feet. Only, remember that we let these Sermons pass forth as they were delivered by himself, in public, without taking that liberty of adding or detracting, which, perhaps, some would have thought meet: for we thought it best that his own meaning should be expressed in his own words and manner, especially considering there is little which perhaps may seem superfluous •o some, but may, by Gods blessing, be useful to others. It would be a good prevention of many inconveniences, in this kind, if able men would be persuaded to publish their own works in their life time, yet we think it a good service to the Church, when that defect is supplied by giving some life to those things, which otherwise would have died of themselves.
TO discourse largely of the necessity and vse of this peece of spirituall armour, after so many learned and vsefull Treatises, vpon this subiect, may seeme super fluous, especially considering that there is much spoken to this purpose, for thy satisfaction, in the insuing Treatise; wherein, besides the vnfolding of the nature of this dutie, (which is the Saints daily exercise) and strong inforcement to it, there is an endeavour to giue satisfaction in the most incident cases, want of clearing whereof is vsually an hindrance to the chearefull, and ready performance thereof. In all which, what hath beene done by this Reverend and worthy man, we had rather should appeare in the Treatise it selfe, to thy indifferent iudgement, then to bee much in setting downe our owne opinion. This we doubt not of, that, by reason of the spirituall, and convincing manner of handling this Argument, it will winne acceptance with many, especially considering, that it is of that nature, wherein, though much haue beene spoken, yet much more may be said with good relish to those that haue anie spirituall sense: for it is the most spirituall action, wherein wee haue nearer communion with God, then in anie other holie performance, and whereby it ⟨image 3⟩pleaseth God to conveigh all good to vs, to the performance whereof Christians finde most backwardnesse, and indisposedness, and from thence most deiection of spirit; which also in these times, is most necessarie, wherein, unlesse wee fetch helpe from heaven, this way, wee see the Church and Cause of God like to be trampled vnder feete. Onelie, remember that we let these Sermons passe forth as they were delivered by himselfe, in publicke, without taking that libertie of adding or detracting, which, perhaps, some would haue thought meete: for wee thought it best that his owne meaning should be expressed in his owne words and manner, especially considering there is little which perhaps may seeme superfluous •o some, but may, by Gods blessing, be vsefull to others. It would be a good prevention of manie inconveniences, in this kinde, if able men would bee perswaded to publish their owne works in their life time, yet wee thinke it a good service to the Church, when that defect is supplied by giving some life to those things, which otherwise would haue died of themselues.
