These Sermons, both preached, and printed are the mere product of love to your Souls. I never yet (that I remember) went through the Parish without some (though not suitably compassionate) heart-aching yearnings towards my charge, to think (and oh that I could think of it according to the worth of Souls) how many thousands here are posting to Eternity, that within a few years will be in Heaven or Hell, and I know not how, so much as to ask them whither they are going. While God continues me your Watchman, I shall affectionately desire, and solicitously endeavour to keep my self pure from the blood of all men, 1and that not only for the saving of my own Soul, by delivering my Message; but that you also may be saved by entertaining it. I am willing therefore to commend unto you some legible provocations to serious Piety, and therefore have procured a contribution of help, that in the multitude of Spiritual Counsellors your souls may have safety. In short,2 my Brethren, give me leave to say, that if I had but the Apostles Graces to help me in the manner, I can (without boasting) at present use ⟨image 3⟩the matter of his Spiritually-passionate expressions; That I greatly long after you all, 3in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love to truth and holiness, may abound yet more, and more, in saving knowledge, and in all sound judgement. That you may practically approve things that are excellent; and that you may be sincerely gracious, and universally without offence till the day of Christ. That you may be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God. These (my Beloved) are and shall be (through Grace) the constant desires and restless endeavours of
THese Sermons, both preach'd, and printed are the meer product of love to your Souls. I never yet (that I remember) went thorow the Parish without some (though not sutably compassionate) heart-akeing yearnings towards my charge, to think (and oh that I could think of it according to the worth of Souls) how many thousands here are posting to Eternity, that within a few years will be in Heaven or Hell, and I know not how, so much as to aske them whither they are going. While God continues me your Watchman, I shall affectionately desire, and sollicitously endeavour to keep my self pure from the blood of all men, 1and that not onely for the saving of my own Soul, by delivering my Message; but that you also may be saved by entertaining it. I am willing therefore to commend unto you some legible provocations to serious Piety, and therefore have procured a contribution of help, that in the multitude of Spirituall Counsellors your souls may have safety. In short,2 my Brethren, give me leave to say, that if I had but the Apostles Graces to help me in the manner, I can (without boasting) at present use ⟨image 3⟩the matter of his Spiritually-passionate expressions; That I greatly long after you all, 3in the bowells of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love to truth and holiness, may abound yet more, and more, in saving knowledge, and in all sound judgement. That you may practically approve things that are excellent; and that you may be sincerely gracious, and universally without offence till the day of Christ. That you may be filled with the fruits of righteousnesse, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God. These (my Beloved) are and shall be (through Grace) the constant desires and restless endeavours of
- 1Acts 20.26.
- 2Prov. 11.14.
- 3Phil. 1.8, 9, 10, 11.
