Good Reader: to deal plainly with thee, I was long afraid and ashamed to put pen to paper, about this theme of Mortification. Not because the point is not exceeding necessary to be handled; but because I found my self very unworthy and unfit to entreat of it. Being guilty to my self, of being far from having done any thing worth the naming, in the practice of the duty, I thought it scarce likely, that I should do any great good in writing of it, and I was even ashamed to publish any thing of mortification, finding my self, alas, so little mortified. At last yet, I resolved to adventure on this work for two reasons: One, because I am privy to my self, of having endeavoured (in some poor degree, and with some truth,) to perform my self, what here I have taught, and that also, not without some little success, tho far short of what I ought, and (but for mine own carelessness) might have attained. Another, because I conceived, that as a man, which having but a small stock, can himself make but small gains of its return, may yet give husband like directions to him that hath a larger stock, by which he may improve his ten talents to more advantage, then else he could do: so a man, that having but a small quantity of grace, can do little himself, ⟨image 56⟩may yet give sound directions to those that have received a greater measure of Grace, to further them much in their spiritual thrift. And as he that by some disease or wound, is half lame, and can go but a slow pace in the known right way, may yet direct others to the right way, and quicken their pace, by calling upon them; so may he, whose corruptions suffer him to proceed but slowly in the ways of holiness, show that way to others, and hasten them therein. In a word, he may be a good Drummer or Trumpeter in the war, that hath but a weak body, and feeble limbs to fight. Hinder not thy self therefore, from profiting by this Work, by looking on the weaknesses of him that wrote it; strive thou to run apace in this path, I will either follow after thee, or bear thee company, or, if I can, go before thee, as fast as I can. Fight thou valiantly at the sound of this Trumpet, and I will also strive to use the hand, aswell as the mouth; and the Sword, aswell as the Trumpet.
GOod Reader: to deale plainely with thee, I was long afraid and ashamed to put pen to paper, about this theame of Mortification. Not because the point is not exceeding necessarie to be handled; but because I found my selfe verie vnworthie and vnfit to entreate of it. Being guiltie to my selfe, of being farre from hauing done any thing worth the naming, in the practice of the dutie, I thought it scarce likely, that I should doe any great good in writing of it, and I was euen ashamed to publish any thing of mortification, finding my selfe, alas, so little mortified. At last yet, I resolued to aduenture on this worke for two reasons: One, because I am priuie to my selfe, of hauing indeauoured (in some poore degree, and with some truth,) to performe my selfe, what here I have taught, and that also, not without some little successe, tho farre short of what I ought, and (but for mine owne carelesnesse) might haue attained. Another, because I conceiued, that as a man, which hauing but a small stocke, can himselfe make but small gaines of its returne, may yet giue husband like directions to him that hath a larger stocke, by which he may improue his ten talents to more aduantage, then else he could doe: so a man, that hauing but a small quantity of grace, can doe little himselfe, ⟨image 56⟩may yet giue sound directions to those that haue receiued a greater measure of Grace, to further them much in their spirituall thrift. And as he that by some disease or wound, is halfe lame, and can goe but a slow pace in the knowne right way, may yet direct others to the right way, and quicken their pace, by calling vpon them; so may he, whose corruptions suffer him to proceed but slowly in the wayes of holinesse, shew that way to others, and hasten them therein. In a word, he may be a good Drummer or Trumpeter in the warre, that hath but a weake body, and feeble lims to fight. Hinder not thy selfe therefore, from profiting by this Work, by looking on the weakenesses of him that wrote it; striue thou to run apace in this path, I will either follow after thee, or beare thee company, or, if I can, goe before thee, as fast as I can. Fight thou valiantly at the sound of this Trumpet, and I will also striue to vse the hand, aswell as the mouth; and the Sword, aswell as the Trumpet.
