One thing more I must add, which will unto many seem very wonderful and almost incredible. The Author of this Book is a Gentlewoman, belonging to the Congregation of Alderman-bury; And one who for these Thirty years, by reason of an affliction lying upon her, hath been in a great measure, deprived of those public spiritual helps which others enjoy, and also of those private helps, which good Christians do, or might partake of by the Communion of Saints. This makes good that Text of Scripture. Out of the mouths of Babes and Sucklings thou hast perfected praise. And that other,1 2That the strength of God is made perfect in weakness. 3Church History tells us of a Captive Woman, whom God made instrumental to convert the whole Nation of the Iberians, ⟨image 5⟩4to the Christian Faith. And the Book of God tells us of Priscilla, who was made able by grace to expound the way of God more perfectly unto Apollo himself, an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures. And that she and her Husband Aquila were helpers in Christ Jesus unto Saint Paul, and that for his life, they laid down their necks. 5Much is spoken by the same Apostle, in commendation of divers Women. I hope no man will contemn this Book, because written by a Woman, 6but rather admire the goodness, love, and power of God, who is able to do such great things, by such weak instruments. No man will refuse pearls, or precious stones, though handed to him by the Female Sex. It is her great desire that her Name may be concealed. All that I will say of her is; That she is a precious Jewell, though in a contemptible Box, and a very great ornament to the Congregation of which she is a Member. If any reap any spiritual advantage by reading of this Book, she hath obtained the height of her ambition; only she craves their Prayers, that God ⟨image 5⟩would bless her and hers, that the less help she hath from men, the more she may have from God, and the incomes of his holy Spirit, that though she wants an outward ear, to hear the voice of Gods Ministers speaking to her outward man, yet she may have an inward ear to hear God speaking to her soul words of everlasting consolation. And this is also the Prayer of
One thing more I must add, which will unto many seem very wonderfull and almost incredible. The Author of this Book is a Gentlewoman, belonging to the Congregation of Alderman-bury; And one who for these Thirty years, by reason of an affliction lying upon her, hath been in a great measure, deprived of those publique spirituall helps which others enjoy, and also of those private helps, which good Christians do, or might partake of by the Communion of Saints. This makes good that Text of Scripture. Out of the mouths of Babes and Sucklings thou hast perfected praise. And that other,1 2That the strength of God is made perfect in weaknesse. 3Church History tels us of a Captive Woman, whom God made instrumentall to convert the whole Nation of the Iberians, ⟨image 5⟩4to the Christian Faith. And the Book of God tels us of Priscilla, who was made able by grace to expound the way of God more perfectly unto Apollo himself, an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures. And that she and her Husband Aquila were helpers in Christ Iesus unto Saint Paul, and that for his life, they laid down their necks. 5Much is spoken by the same Apostle, in commendation of divers Women. I hope no man will contemn this Book, because written by a Woman, 6but rather admire the goodnesse, love, and power of God, who is able to do such great things, by such weak instruments. No man will refuse pearls, or precious stones, though handed to him by the Female Sex. It is her great desire that her Name may be concealed. All that I will say of her is; That she is a precious Iewell, though in a contemptible Box, and a very great ornament to the Congregation of which she is a Member. If any reap any spirituall advantage by reading of this Book, she hath obtained the hight of her ambition; onely she craves their Prayers, that God ⟨image 5⟩would blesse her and hers, that the lesse help she hath from men, the more she may have from God, and the incomes of his holy Spirit, that though she wants an outward eare, to hear the voice of Gods Ministers speaking to her outward man, yet she may have an inward ear to hear God speaking to her soul words of everlasting consolation. And this is also the Prayer of
- 1Mat. 21.1.
- 22 Cor. 12.9.
- 3Socratis Historia. li. 1 ca 16.
- 4Act 18.24.26.
- 5Rom 16.23.
- 6Phi. 4.2, 3 Rom. 16.1, 6, 12.
