I Here commend unto thee Christian Reader a table of Repentance, now put into a little Tract, collected from that grave, learned, & godly Divine, Mr Robert Bolton. I could have been content to ⟨image 3⟩have stayed the publishing thereof, until such time, in which the Author might have been prevailed with to print it; for there cannot but want much beauty and lustre which it might have had, if it had been set forth or perused to be fitted for the Press by him that first gave life unto it; but being enforced to it by the importunity of many well affected, both far ⟨image 3⟩and near; & I unwilling to have such a precious fountain sealed up, considering the good that might redound to many in the mean time by it. I resolved by the Authors leave no longer to engross the same to a private use, but to impart it to a public good, especially considering, first, how few are acquainted with the right nature of Humiliation, ⟨image 4⟩and Repentance, no more than Nicodemus was with regeneration: that though many boast of it, few have it, when alas it's plain, without true Repentance there is no salvation. Now this table having so perspicuously unfolded the nature of this grace, those that have a beginning of it, may from hence add an increase to their store; and they that ⟨image 4⟩want it, may here see the way and means of obtaining it. Secondly, the extraordinary exercise of fasting and prayer, a duty of precious account amongst Gods Children, which hath always been wonderfully blest with a happy success, in so much, as albeit their ordinary prayers return not empty without a blessing, yet respectively to those prayers ⟨image 5⟩which are joined with fasting, they seem barren and blasted, which otherwise are fruitful and full eared. How then could I withhold this which by experience and the judgement of judicious Christians, cannot but be of special use and help unto such a blessed and successful ordinance? Thirdly, these times call for it, to fast and pray and cry mightily unto ⟨image 5⟩God by our prayers, that we may stand in the gap, and make up the breach: and from this little Tract we may receive much help in this particular. Wherefore I hope I shall need no further persuasion for thy gracious acceptance, than that hereby if the fault be not thine own, thou mayest receive much good and comfort to thy soul:
I Here commend vnto thee Christian Reader a table of Repentance, now put into a little Tract, collected from that graue, learned, & godly Divine, Mr Robert Bolton. I could haue beene content to ⟨image 3⟩haue stayed the publishing thereof, vntill such time, in which the Author might haue beene prevailed with to print it; for there cannot but want much beauty and lustre which it might haue had, if it had been set forth or perused to be fitted for the Presse by him that first gaue life vnto it; but being inforced to it by the importunity of many well affected, both farre ⟨image 3⟩and neere; & I vnwilling to haue such a pretious fountaine sealed vp, considering the good that might redound to many in the meane time by it. I resolued by the Authors leaue no longer to ingrosse the same to a private vse, but to impart it to a publike good, especially considering, first, how few are acquainted with the right nature of Humiliation, ⟨image 4⟩and Repentance, no more than Nicodemus was with regeneration: that though many boast of it, few haue it, when alas it's plaine, without true Repentance there is no salvation. Now this table having so perspicuously vnsolded the nature of this grace, those that haue a beginning of it, may from hence adde an increase to their store; and they that ⟨image 4⟩want it, may here see the way and meanes of obtaining it. Secondly, the extraordinary exercise of fasting and prayer, a duty of pretious account amongst Gods Children, which hath alwayes beene wonderfully blest with a happy successe, in so much, as albeit their ordinary prayers returne not empty without a blessing, yet respectiuely to those prayers ⟨image 5⟩which are joyned with fasting, they seeme barren and blasted, which otherwise are fruitfull and full eared. How then could I withhold this which by experience and the judgement of judicious Christians, cannot but bee of speciall vse and helpe vnto such a blessed and successefull ordinance? Thirdly, these times call for it, to fast and pray and cry mightily vnto ⟨image 5⟩God by our prayers, that wee may stand in the gappe, and make vp the breach: and from this little Tract wee may receiue much helpe in this particular. VVherefore I hope I shall neede no further perswasion for thy gracious acceptance, than that hereby if the fault be not thine owne, thou mayest receiue much good and comfort to thy soule:
