The Fountain of Life Opened

To Readers in general, according as their different states,§1 and conditions may be; there are six things earnestly to be requested of them, (1.) If you be yet strangers to Christ, let these things begin, and beget your first acquaintance with him. I assure thee, Reader, it was a principal part of the design thereof; and here thou wilt find many directions, helps, and sweet encouragements, to assist a poor stranger; as thou art, in that great work. Say not, I am an enemy to Christ, and there is no hope of Reconciliation, for here thou wilt see, how God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself: say not, all this is nothing, except God had told thee so, and appointed some to treat with thee about it; for he hath committed unto us the word of this reconciliation; say not, yea, that may be from your own pity, and compassions for us, and not from any commission you have for it: for we are Ambassadors for Christ, 1 Cor. 5.19.

To Readers in general, according as their different states,§1 and conditions may be; there are six things earnestly to be requested of them, (1.) If you be yet strangers to Christ, let these things begin, and beget your first acquaintance with him. I assure thee, Reader, it was a principal part of the design thereof; and here thou wilt find many directions, helps, and sweet incouragements, to assist a poor stranger; as thou art, in that great work. Say not, I am an enemy to Christ, and there is no hope of Reconciliation, for here thou wilt see, how God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself: say not, all this is nothing, except God had told thee so, and appointed some to treat with thee about it; for he hath committed unto us the word of this reconciliation; say not, yea, that may be from your own pity, and compassions for us, and not from any commission you have for it: for we are Ambassadours for Christ, 1 Cor. 5.19.

Say not, O but my sins, my sins, are greater than can be forgiven; the difficulties of my salvation too great to be overcome; especially by a poor Creature as I am, that am able to do nothing, no not to raise one penny towards the discharge of that great debt I owe to God: for here thou wilt find upon thy Union with Christ, that there is merit enough in his blood, and mercy enough in his bowels to justify, and save such an one as thou art. Yea, and I will add for thine encouragement that it is a righteous thing with God to justify and save thee, that canst not pay him one penny of all the vast sums thou owest him, when by the same rule of justice he condemns the most strict, self-righteous Pharisee that thinks thereby to quit scores with him. It is righteous for a judge to cast him that hath paid 99 l. of the 100. which he owed, because the payment was not full; and to acquit him, whose surety hath paid all,