TO you, well-beloved in our Lord Jesus Christ, doth this small Treatise offer it self, and hath shrunk it self into this little quantity, that hiding it self in a narrow room, ⟨image 3⟩it may accompany your purses in your pockets, and so warn you to pull them forth more frequently and more willingly for merciful deeds, then perhaps you have heretofore accustomed. Neither doth this little book barely request at your hands your constant practise of liberality towards your needy brethren, but doth even require it at your hands, as a thing absolutely necessary to your salvation. It cites you before the tribunal of your own consciences, and ⟨image 3⟩making evident proof that your Lord and Master, whose Lord and Master, whose stewards you are, hath commanded you to be plentiful in those kind of expenses, doth as an advocate, demand and request of the judge of that court, (even the conscience of every one of you) to make and register a firm order and decree (if it will show it self a just and righteous judge) that from henceforth you shall be large and abundant and forward and ready to this good work so often as occasion shall ⟨image 4⟩offer it self, yea that you shall studiously seek after all occasions to do it as often as may be. No man can be saved without good works, more then without faith, because that faith is not lively which produceth not good works, and chiefly those good works that do specially pertain to every mans state of life, as this doth to the state of wealthy Christians. He that resolveth not to obey God in doing every good thing required at his hand, is no more upright, ⟨image 4⟩then he that resolveth not to obey, in leaving every wicked thing prohibited. Many think themselves sound, if they purpose to cast off every know evil deed, though they settle not in themselves, a like firm determination to perform every know duty. But herein they beguile themselves. He casts not from him all his transgressions, nor hath respect to all Gods commandments, that casts not from him faults of omission, and endeavoureth not to put in practise ⟨image 5⟩affirmative precepts. Gods authority must be no less submitted unto, when he requireth a thing, then when he prohibiteth, when he saith this do, then when he saith, this do not. So hollowness appears as much, in not doing the one, as in doing the other.
TO you, well-beloved in our Lord Jesus Christ, doth this small Treatise offer it selfe, and hath shrunke it selfe into this little quantity, that hiding it selfe in a narrow roome, ⟨image 3⟩it may accompany your purses in your pockets, and so warne you to pull them forth more frequently and more willingly for mercifull deeds, then perhaps you have heretofore accustomed. Neither doth this little booke barely request at your hands your constant practise of liberality towards your needy brethren, but doth even require it at your hands, as a thing absolutely necessary to your salvation. It cites you before the tribunall of your owne consciences, and ⟨image 3⟩making evident proofe that your Lord and Master, whose Lord and Master, whose stewards you are, hath commanded you to be plentifull in those kinde of expences, doth as an advocate, demand and request of the judge of that court, (even the conscience of every one of you) to make and register a firme order and decree (if it will shew it selfe a just and righteous judge) that from henceforth you shall be large and abundant and forward and ready to this good work so often as occasion shall ⟨image 4⟩offer it selfe, yea that you shall studiously seeke after all occasions to do it as often as may be. No man can be saved without good workes, more then without faith, because that faith is not lively which produceth not good workes, and chiefely those good workes that do specially pertaine to every mans state of life, as this doth to the state of wealthy Christians. He that resolveth not to obey God in doing every good thing required at his hand, is no more upright, ⟨image 4⟩then hee that resolveth not to obey, in leaving every wicked thing prohibited. Many thinke themselves sound, if they purpose to cast off every knowe evill deed, though they settle not in themselves, a like firme determination to performe every knowe duty. But herein they beguile themselves. He casts not from him all his transgressions, nor hath respect to all Gods commandements, that casts not from him faults of omission, and endeavoureth not to put in practise ⟨image 5⟩affirmative precepts. Gods authority must be no lesse submitted unto, when hee requireth a thing, then when he prohibiteth, when he saith this doe, then when hee saith, this doe not. So hollownesse appeares as much, in not doing the one, as in doing the other.
