IT hath been the way of God in speaking to men, and drawing their hearts to him, to apply himself to them, in those things they have skill of and are acquainted with. When Christ was revealed to the Wise men that came from the East, it was by a Star, they were Astronomers, and conversed much in the contemplation of the Stars, and God speaks to them accordingly: When our Saviour called Fishermen to follow him, he tells them. ⟨image 3⟩He will make them Fishers of men; he expresseth himself unto them in their own way: Wherefore it being my lot to live where multitudes of Mariners, especially of mine own Country-men daily come, and my Auditors being in great part of such, I was willing to take the opportunity of that great work of God, that sore and grievous tempest that was lately so terrible as made the hearts of many to shake, to add the word suitable to Gods work, to labour to convey some spiritual truth, by the advantage of that impression that was then upon their hearts, little thinking then that such present thoughts hinted by such an occasion, should ever be more public then in mine own Congregation: but knowing what need Mariners have of Sermons, and considering how few they ⟨image 3⟩hear, because I could not preach to them where their chief business lies (upon the Seas) I was willing to send this Sermon to them, that they might have it by them: many Sabbaths they spend hearing none, seldom hearing any. It may be the suitableness of this subject may invite them to read, especially it being the desires of many of them who heard it, and found some work of God upon their hearts by it, to have it by them; at first I was unwilling to let such sudden things appear so public, but after considering, that some poor Sailors boy at least might get some good by them, I yielded. I publish not this Sermon because I conceit any special excellency in it, that cannot be expected (it is the same for the frame and substance of it that was preached the next day after the occasion: ⟨image 4⟩Some things are added and enlarged, especially concerning the nature of the Winds.)
IT hath been the way of God in speaking to men, and drawing their hearts to him, to apply himselfe to them, in those things they have skill of and are acquainted with. When Christ was revealed to the Wise men that came from the East, it was by a Star, they were Astronomers, and conversed much in the contemplation of the Starres, and God speakes to them accordingly: When our Saviour called Fishermen to follow him, he tels them. ⟨image 3⟩Hee will make them Fishers of men; hee expresseth himselfe unto them in their owne way: Wherefore it being my lot to live where multitudes of Mariners, especially of mine owne Countrey-men daily come, and my Auditors being in great part of such, I was willing to take the opportunity of that great worke of God, that sore and grievous tempest that was lately so terrible as made the hearts of many to shake, to adde the word sutable to Gods worke, to labour to conveigh some spirituall truth, by the advantage of that impression that was then upon their hearts, little thinking then that such present thoughts hinted by such an occasion, should ever be more publike then in mine owne Congregation: but knowing what need Mariners have of Sermons, and considering how few they ⟨image 3⟩heare, because I could not preach to them where their chiefe businesse lies (upon the Seas) I was willing to send this Sermon to them, that they might have it by them: many Sabbaths they spend hearing none, seldome hearing any. It may be the sutablenesse of this subject may invite them to reade, especially it being the desires of many of them who heard it, and found some worke of God upon their hearts by it, to have it by them; at first I was unwilling to let such sudden things appeare so publike, but after considering, that some poore Saylors boy at least might get some good by them, I yeelded. I publish not this Sermon because I conceit any speciall excellency in it, that cannot be expected (it is the same for the frame and substance of it that was preached the next day after the occasion: ⟨image 4⟩Some things are added and enlarged, especially concerning the nature of the Winds.)
