Sir, I do not offer you that which cost me nothing, or little, God best knows the pains, the prayers, and the 1s••dy, that the midwifing of this Treatise into the world hath cost me; in the midst of trials, troubles, temptations, afflictions, and my frequent labours in the Ministry. The truths that I offer for your serious consideration, in this Treatise, are not such as I have formerly preached, in 2one place or another, at one time or another; but such as at several times, the Lord has brought to hand: and I hope, in order to the service, and saving of many, many souls. And should you redeem time from your many and weighty occasions, and live to read it as often over, as there be leaves in it; I am apt to think, you would never repent of your pains, when you come to die, and make up your account with God. Sir, I must, and shall say (because I love and honour you, and would have you happy to Eternity) that it is your greatest wisdom, and should be your greatest care, to redeem time from your worldly business, to acquaint your self more and more with the great and main points of Religion, to serve your God, to be useful in your day, and to make sure and safe work for your soul to escape hell, and to get heaven. Sir Thomas More, one of the great wits of that day, would commonly say, there is a Devil called negotium, business, that carries more souls to hell, than all the devils in hell beside. Many men have so many Irons in the fire, and 3are cumbered about so many things, that upon the matter, they wholly neglect the one thing necessary, though I hope better things of you. The stars which have the least circuit, are nearest the pole: and men that are least perplexed with a crowd of worldly business, are commonly nearest to God. Sir, as you love God, as you love your soul, as you love Eternity, as you would be found at Christ's right hand at last, and as you would meet me with joy in the great day of the Lord, make much conscience of redeeming time daily from your secular affairs, to be ⟨image 8⟩with God in your closet, in your family, to read the Scriptures, to study the Scriptures, and such men's writings that are sound in the faith, and that treat of the great things of the Gospel. 'Tis dangerous crying cras, cras, to morrow, to morrow; Manna must be gathered in the morning, the orient Pearl is generated by the morning dew:
Sir, I do not offer you that which cost me nothing, or little, God best knows the pains, the prayers, and the 1s••dy, that the midwifing of this Treatise into the world hath cost me; in the midst of tryals, troubles, temptations, afflictions, and my frequent labours in the Ministry. The truths that I offer for your serious consideration, in this Treatise, are not such as I have formerly preached, in 2one place or another, at one time or another; but such as at several times, the Lord has brought to hand: and I hope, in order to the service, and saving of many, many souls. And should you redeem time from your many and weighty occasions, and live to read it as often over, as there be leaves in it; I am apt to think, you would never repent of your pains, when you come to die, and make up your account with God. Sir, I must, and shall say (because I love and honour you, and would have you happy to Eternity) that it is your greatest wisdom, and should be your greatest care, to redeem time from your worldly business, to acquaint your self more and more with the great and main points of Religion, to serve your God, to be useful in your day, and to make sure and safe work for your soul to escape hell, and to get heaven. Sir Thomas More, one of the great wits of that day, would commonly say, there is a Devil called negotium, business, that carries more souls to hell, than all the devils in hell beside. Many men have so many Irons in the fire, and 3are cumbred about so many things, that upon the matter, they wholly neglect the one thing necessary, though I hope better things of you. The stars which have the least circuit, are nearest the pole: and men that are least perplexed with a croud of worldly business, are commonly nearest to God. Sir, as you love God, as you love your soul, as you love Eternity, as you would be found at Christ's right hand at last, and as you would meet me with joy in the great day of the Lord, make much conscience of redeeming time daily from your secular affairs, to be ⟨image 8⟩with God in your closet, in your family, to read the Scriptures, to study the Scriptures, and such men's writings that are sound in the faith, and that treat of the great things of the Gospel. 'Tis dangerous crying cras, cras, to morrow, to morrow; Mannah must be gathered in the morning, the orient Pearl is generated by the morningdew:
- 1Mal 1. 13, 14.
- 2Commonly, men preach those points first, that afterwards they print: but not knowing how long the door of liberty may be open: I have sent this Treatise into the world. Eph. 5. 15, 16. •ol s• 4. 5. Eccl • 9. 10.
- 3•uk. 10. 40, 41, 42. When one pre•ented Antipater King of Macedo •ia, with a book treating of happiness; his answer was on Scholazo, I am not at leisure. The Duke of Alva had so much to do on earth, that he had •o time to look up to heaven.•uk. 10. 40, 41, 42. When one pre•ented Antipater King of Macedo •ia, wich a book treating of happiness; his answer was on Scholazo, I am not at leasure. The Duke of Alva had so much to do on earth, that he had •o time to look up to heaven.
