Christian Reader, the good providence of God hath vouchsafed thee benefit abroad, by the labours of a reverent faithful Pastor, which he meant only to his own flock at home. These fruitful doctrines which in this book are offered to thee, were received from his mouth, but neither penned nor perused by himself, nor published with his consent or knowledge: for had he been willing that they should be exposed to open view, he would have garnished them with richer attire, and yet with modesty according to the Apostles rule, 1. Cor. 2. 1. Without affected excellency of words or carnal wisdom. They were collected by a godly ingenious young man, whose diligent attention and painfulness, discern no small commendations: yet what hand or memory can follow so ⟨image 3⟩fast the fluent speech of an eloquent Preacher, as to set down all in the same form and elegance wherein it is delivered? Moreover, at the printing divers faults have escaped, both of Orthography, pointing, and method in some places. But howsoever it is, a religious and well seasoned heart will find and feel herein such comfort and light, as that light and slender defects will easily be passed over. And let not God be defrauded of his due praise, who hath multiplied that food to feast so many, which of man was appointed to feed so few. And here is that in some degree verified, which […] Saviour foretold his Disciples, Luk. 12. 3• What ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in light, and that which ye have spoken in the ear in secret places, shall be heard on the houses. Well good reader, let this and such other wholesome writings kindle thy desire to the preaching of the word, that thou mayest be more frequent in hearing, and judicious in understanding. Beware thou grow not conceited of a sufficiency to be found in reading good books, and so begin to distaste the Ministry: they ⟨image 3⟩are not ordained to kill our appetites to the word, but to sharpen them. And so I commend thee to the Lord, who of his mercy grant thee wisdom, with good success to thy everlasting happiness, thorough Jesus Christ.
CHristian Reader, the good prouidence of God hath vouchsafed thee benefit abroad, by the labours of a reuerent faithfull Pastor, which he meant only to his owne flocke at home. These fruitefull doctrines which in this booke are offered to thee, were receiued from his mouth, but neither penned nor perused by himselfe, nor published with his consent or knowledge: for had he been willing that they should be exposed to open view, he would haue garnished them with richer attire, and yet with modestie according to the Apostles rule, 1. Cor. 2. 1. Without affected excellencie of words or carnall wisdome. They were collected by a godly ingenious young man, whose diligent attention and painefulnes, deserne no small commendations: yet what hand or memorie can follow so ⟨image 3⟩fast the fluent speech of an eloquent Preacher, as to set downe all in the same forme and elegancie wherein it is deliuered? Moreouer, at the printing diuers faultes haue escaped, both of Orthographie, poynting, and method in some places. But howsoeuer it is, a religious and well seasoned heart will finde and feele herein such comfort and light, as that light and slender defects will easilie be passed ouer. And let not God be defrauded of his due praise, who hath multiplied that food to feast so many, which of man was appoynted to feede so few. And here is that in some degree verified, which 〈…〉 Sauiour foretold his Disciples, Luk. 12. 3• What ye haue spoken in darkenesse shall be heard in light, and that which ye haue spoken in the eare in secret places, shall be heard on the houses. Well good reader, let this and such other wholesome writings kindle thy desire to the preaching of the word, that thou maist be more frequent in hearing, and iudicious in vnderstanding. Beware thou grow not conceited of a sufficiencie to be found in reading good bookes, and so begin to distaste the Ministerie: they ⟨image 3⟩are not ordayned to kill our appetites to the word, but to sharpen them. And so I commend thee to the Lord, who of his mercy graunt thee wisdome, with good successe to thy euerlasting happinesse, thorough Iesus Christ.
