To those who blame us we go no further, I must say our design hath bin rather to tempt on, by going their pace, then to discourage by over-driving our little ones; I say it hath been our ⟨image 4⟩aim to cherish not to quench, to draw out, not to suppress the graces of our people; and therefore have we desired to improve those graces which we found, though weak, rather then to expect that which was not to be found. Our present reformation, it is not the measure of our will, but of our power; it is not the utmost we desire, but the utmost we are able: And though it may seem small to you, yet despise not the day of small things; though the house is not built, yet we rejoice the first stone is laid, and we could not choose but bring it forth with shouting, Grace, Grace, unto it, and Glory, Glory to the Lord. Babylon was not built in a day, neither is Zion; God carries on his works without us, as he doth his works within us, by degrees; the greatest fire was at first a spark, the tallest Oak at the first an Acorn, the strongest Christian had his infancy, and the greatest work of God its mean beginnings; ⟨image 5⟩Would the corruption of former times have suffered our godly predecessors, to have left the work in that forwardness to us, in which through Gods blessing, it may be left to them who shall succeed, possibly, nay probably, the work might have been carried on to a greater height then now it can; That which is done we desire to bless God for it, and think it our duty to cherish with our utmost prayers and endeavours; In relation to which, these ensuing Sermons formerly preached, are now printed, to which work, if they shall be any thing serviceable, they have obtained the end of him,
To those who blame us we go no further, I must say our design hath bin rather to tempt on, by going their pace, then to discourage by over-driving our little ones; I say it hath been our ⟨image 4⟩aim to cherish not to quench, to draw out, not to suppress the graces of our people; and therefore have we desired to improve those graces which wee found, though weak, rather then to expect that which was not to be found. Our present reformation, it is not the measure of our will, but of our power; it is not the utmost wee desire, but the utmost wee are able: And though it may seem small to you, yet despise not the day of small things; though the house is not built, yet wee rejoyce the first stone is laid, and wee could not choose but bring it forth with shouting, Grace, Grace, unto it, and Glory, Glory to the Lord. Babylon was not built in a day, neither is Sion; God carries on his works without us, as he doth his works within us, by degrees; the greatest fire was at first a spark, the tallest Oak at the first an Achorne, the strongest Christian had his infancie, and the greatest work of God its mean beginnings; ⟨image 5⟩Would the corruption of former times have suffered our godly predecessours, to have left the work in that forwardness to us, in which through Gods blessing, it may be left to them who shall succeed, possibly, nay probably, the work might have been carryed on to a greater height then now it can; That which is done wee desire to bless God for it, and think it our duty to cherish with our utmost prayers and indeavours; In relation to which, these ensuing Sermons formerly preached, are now printed, to which work, if they shall be any thing serviceable, they have obtained the end of him,
