I was also when I first intended Writing under another temptation; being of their mind that thought that nothing should be made public, but what a man had first laid out his ⟨image 3⟩choicest art upon; I thought to have acquainted the world with nothing but what was the work of Time and Diligence: But my conscience soon told me, that there was too much of Pride and Selfishness in this; and that Humility and Self-denial required me to lay by the affectation of that stile, and spare that industry, which tended but to advance my name with men, when it hindered the main work, and crossed my end: And Providence drawing forth some popular unpolished Discourses, and giving them success beyond my expectation, did thereby rebuke my selfish thoughts, and satisfy me that the Truths of God do perform their work more by their Divine Authority, and proper Evidence, and material Excellency, than by any ornaments of fleshly wisdom: and (as Seneca saith) though I will not despise an elegant Physician, yet will I not think my self much the happier, for his adding eloquence to his healing art. Being encouraged then by Reason and Experience, I venture these popular Sermons into the world; and especially for the use of you, my late Auditors, that heard them. I bless God that, when more worthy Labourers are fain to weep over their obstinate, unprofitable, unthankful people, and some are driven away by ⟨image 4⟩their injuries, and put to shake off the dust of their feet against them; I am rather forced to weep over my own unthankful heart, that did not sufficiently value the mercy of a faithful flock, who parted with me rather as the Ephesians with Paul, Acts 20. and who have lived according to this Plain and Necessary doctrine which they have received: Among whom Papists, that persuade men that our doctrine tendeth to divisions, can find no divisions or sects: Who have constantly disowned both the Ambitious usurpations which have shaken the Kingdom; and the Factions, Censoriousness, and cruel violence in the Church, which Pride hath generated and nourished in this trying Age. Among whom I have enjoyed so very large a proportion of mercy, in the liberty of so long an exercise of my Ministry, with so unusual advantage and success, that I must be disingenuously unthankful if I should murmur and repine at the present restraining hand of God: But I must say with David, 2 Sam. 15. 25.
I was also when I first intended Writing under another temptation; being of their mind that thought that nothing should be made publike, but what a man had first laid out his ⟨image 3⟩choicest art upon; I thought to have acquainted the world with nothing but what was the work of Time and Diligence: But my conscience soon told me, that there was too much of Pride and Selfishness in this; and that Humility and Self-denyal required me to lay by the affectation of that stile, and spare that industrie, which tended but to advance my name with men, when it hindred the main work, and crost my end: And Providence drawing forth some popular unpolished Discourses, and giving them success beyond my expectation, did thereby rebuke my selfish thoughts, and satisfie me that the Truths of God do perform their work more by their Divine Authority, and proper Evidence, and material Excellency, than by any ornaments of fleshly wisdom: and (as Seneca saith) though I will not despise an elegant Physicion, yet will I not think my self much the happyer, for his adding eloquence to his healing art. Being encouraged then by Reason and Experience, I venture these popular Sermons into the world; and especially for the use of you, my late Auditors, that heard them. I bless God that, when more worthy Labourers are fain to weep over their obstinate, unprofitable, unthankful people, and some are driven away by ⟨image 4⟩their injuries, and put to shake off the dust of their feet against them; I am rather forced to weep over my own unthankful heart, that did not sufficiently value the mercy of a faithful flock, who parted with me rather as the Ephesians with Paul, Acts 20. and who have lived according to this Plain and Necessary doctrine which they have received: Among whom Papists, that perswade men that our doctrine tendeth to divisions, can find no divisions or sects: Who have constantly disowned both the Ambitious usurpations which have shaken the Kingdom; and the Factions, Censoriousness, and cruel violence in the Church, which Pride hath generated and nourished in this trying Age. Among whom I have enjoyed so very large a proportion of mercy, in the liberty of so long an exercise of my Ministry, with so unusual advantage and success, that I must be disingenuously unthankfull if I should murmure and repine at the present restraining hand of God: But I must say with David, 2 Sam. 15. 25.
