The children of this world are in their generation wiser then the children of light. 1The truth hereof may appear in the Papists; who discerning that their books of Controversies, stuffed with manifold untruths, fallacians, and corruptions, were not able to gain sufficiently (though small gain be too great for such merchants) to their Babylonish kingdom,2 3have set themselves and others on work (being all set on work of Hell) to pen certain treatises, tending to ensnare and entangle the minds of ignorant and simple Christians, in the corrupt and filthy puddle of Popish devotion. In this respect I persuade my self, it is come to pass (not without the gracious providence of God) that the author hereof hath been encouraged in himself, and by others, to write these Christian directions, as a counterpoison to all such enchantments of Papists, who would by these means bear men in hand, that all true devotion dwelt amongst them▪ and were enclosed and tied to their Cells and Cloisters: In which unclean cages it is unpossible for any true spiritual and holy meditations to have their abiding: for as much as even the very minds and consciences of such unclean birds,4 are defiled with damnable errors, and Idolatries. Wherefore I would earnestly advise, and heartily entreat thee (Christian Reader) to embrace this book, wherein thou shalt find good precepts, and holy directions, not delivered by rote (as from a Parrot) out of the books and writings of other men: but confirmed by the singular experience of one, who hath long laboured the conversion, and confirmation of many other; but especially the mortification and quickening of his own soul and conscience: one, whom indeed I have ever esteemed another Greenham: and herein more happy then he; because he hath lived to pen, and peruse his own labours, and may yet live (by the mercy of God) to correct and amend whatsoever slip of his pen (for in a long work one may happily take a nap, two, or three) shall be showed unto him. Read it therefore (beloved Christian) and that with diligence: and thou shalt find (I doubt not) more true light and direction to a true devout and holy life, then in all the Resolutions of the Jesuitical Father Parsons (though never so refined, as a brick newly washed) or meditations of Friar Granatensis, or any Popish Directories whatsoever.
THe children of this world are in their generation wiser then the children of light. 1The truth hereof may appeare in the Papists; who discerning that their bookes of Controuersies, stuffed with manifold vntruths, fallacians, and corruptions, were not able to gaine sufficiently (though small gaine be too great for such merchants) to their Babylonish kingdome,2 3haue set themselues and others on worke (being all set on worke of Hell) to penne certaine treatises, tending to insnare and intangle the minds of ignorant and simple Christians, in the corrupt and filthie puddle of Popish deuotion. In this respect I perswade my selfe, it is come to passe (not without the gracious prouidence of God) that the author hereof hath been incouraged in himselfe, and by others, to write these Christian directions, as a counterpoyson to all such inchauntments of Papists, who would by these meanes beare men in hand, that al true deuotion dwelt amongst them▪ and were inclosed and tyed to their Cels and Cloysters: In which vncleane cages it is vnpossible for any true spirituall and holy meditations to haue their abiding: for as much as euen the very mindes and consciences of such vncleane birds,4 are defiled with damnable errors, and Idolatries. Wherefore I would earnestly aduise, and heartely intreate thee (Christian Reader) to imbrace this booke, wherein thou shalt finde good precepts, and holy directions, not deliuered by rote (as from a Parrat) out of the bookes and writings of other men: but confirmed by the singular experience of one, who hath long laboured the conuersion, and confirmation of many other; but especially the mortification and quickning of his owne soule and conscience: one, whom indeed I haue euer esteemed another Greenham: and herein more happie then he; because he hath liued to penne, and peruse his owne labours, and may yet liue (by the mercie of God) to correct and amend whatsoeuer slip of his penne (for in a long worke one may happily take a nap, two, or three) shall be shewed vnto him. Reade it therefore (beloued Christian) and that with diligence: and thou shalt finde (I doubt not) more true light and direction to a true deuout and holy life, then in all the Resolutions of the Iesuiticall Father Parsons (though neuer so refined, as a brick newly washed) or meditations of Frier Granatensis, or any Popish Directories whatsoeuer.
- 1Luk. 16.8.
- 2Revel. 18.15.Reuel. 18.15.
- 3Jam. 3.6.Iam. 3.6.
- 4Tit. 1.15.
