The worthy Author of this Treatise (who was my very dear and much honoured friend) bequeathed unto me, as a legacy of his love, this, with the rest of his Manuscripts. This piece he prepared for the Press, purposing the enlargement of it, if the Lord had continued his life and health: and I am confident, it would have come abroad better polished; if he having completed it, had then surveyed the whole fabric, when set together. Although at the first I was unsatisfied in mine own thoughts, whether I should adventure the printing of it, because imperfect, yet upon the importunity of Friends, being encouraged by the judgement of some Reverend Divines, who had perused it, I have now made it public, without any addition, diminution, or alteration. The subject of the book is excellent, profitable and necessary; even, the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to 1the Saints. That blessed Apostle, who experimentally understood the utmost worth of humane learning, did yet contemn it, in comparison of that knowledge which is taught in this Treatise. I determined not (saith he) to know 2any thing among you (among you, knowing Corinthians,) save Jesus Christ. Yea, doubtless, I count all things but loss, ⟨image 4⟩3for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. Oh how incomparably sweet and satisfying is it unto a self-studying Christian soul, to be acquainted with the faithful engagements of the Almighty Majesty, unto the poor penitent si•ner, through that Son of his loves, in a Covenant of free, rich, everlasting grace! This Covenant being transacted betwixt Christ and God, here, here lies the first and most firm foundation of a Christians comfort. I will give thee for a Covenant of the people, and will 4establish the earth, &c. All the promises of God in him are Yea, and in him Amen, to the glory of God. Therefore the Servants of the most High (notwithstanding their own changeableness and unworthiness) may hold up their hearts and hopes to enjoy all Gospel-Prerogatives through him, because God hath said, I will make an everlasting Covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. 5The right understanding and the fruitful improvement hereof, will be seasonably supporting and solacing to Gods people in these doleful distracted times.
THe worthy Authour of this Treatise (who was my very dear and much honoured friend) bequeathed unto me, as a legacie of his love, this, with the rest of his Manuscripts. This piece he prepared for the Presse, purposing the enlargement of it, if the Lord had continued his life and health: and I am confident, it would have come abroad better polished; if he having compleated it, had then survayed the whole fabrick, when set together. Although at the first I was unsatisfied in mine own thoughts, whether I should adventure the printing of it, because imperfect, yet upon the importunity of Friends, being incouraged by the judgement of some Reverend Divines, who had perused it, I have now made it publike, without any addition, diminution, or alteration. The subject of the book is excellent, profitable and necessary; even, the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to 1the Saints. That blessed Apostle, who experimentally understood the utmost worth of humane learning, did yet contemne it, in comparison of that knowledge which is taught in this Treatise. I determined not (saith he) to know 2any thing among you (among you, knowing Corinthians,) save Jesus Christ. Yea, doubtlesse, I count all things but losse, ⟨image 4⟩3for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. Oh how incomparably sweet and satisfying is it unto a self-studying Christian soul, to be acquainted with the faithfull engagements of the Almighty Majestie, unto the poor penitent si•ner, through that Son of his loves, in a Covenant of free, rich, everlasting grace! This Covenant being transacted betwixt Christ and God, here, here lyes the first and most firm foundation of a Christians comfort. I will give thee for a C•venant of the people, and will 4establish the earth, &c. All the promises of God in him are Yea, and in him Amen, to the glory of God. Therefore the Servants of the most High (notwithstanding their own changeablenesse and unworthinesse) may hold up their hearts and hopes to enjoy all Gospell-Prerogatives through him, because God hath said, I will make an everlasting Covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. 5The right understanding and the fruitfull improvement hereof, will be seasonably supporting and solacing to Gods people in these dolefull distracted times.
- 1Col. 1. 26.
- 21 Cor. 2. 2.
- 3Phil. 3. 8.
- 4Isai. 49. 8. 2 Cor. 1. 10.
- 5Isai. 55. 1, 3.
