1. That remembering so much thereof your selves, and what opportunity I had of knowing the certainty of all: you would assure those who may enquire of you; That the impartial compiler hath kept within the bounds of truth and sobriety in prosecution of his honest aims, to advance the glory of Gods rich mercy to this chosen vessel, and by reviving what remains he could collect of this burning as well as shining light (alas how soon extinct!) to awaken and quicken the formal professors, if he may not induce the profane scoffers of this age, to a more serious study and improvement of those invisible Realities, the clear evidence and powerful influence whereof, our good friend did so abundantly experience. The truth is, the Transcriber (though best accomplished, and most inwardly acquainted with what, might conduce thereto) doth and could not but fall short of declaring the transcendent excellencies of this sublime soul and precious Saint, which till toward his end, when his heart was too full to hold in what could be uttered) were much concealed even to those who knew him best, by reason of his great humility and modesty. These disposed him rather to receive than communicate; except where he had no expectations ⟨image 9⟩of the former, and either familiar intercourse engaged, or the apprehended exigency of those his heart was drawn out to in Christian love and compassion, constrained to the latter. Yet many of those precious streams that did flow from him we must lament the loss of, through default of careful receivers or faithful retainers. He was of clear intellectuals and a large heart both for craving and comprehending what was worthy his pursuit: which being happily improved by his education, and timely seasoned with a spiritual savour of Gospel mysteries (for obtaining of which he had then with others, choice advantages) was a great help to his proficiency in acquaintance with the vital exercises and soul satisfying enjoyment of the divine life, above not only his equals, but seniors and instructors. He was much dissatisfied with himself under any decays or abatements, till he could (if not alone, by imploring the assistance of Christian friends) recover what he sometime had had such sweet experience of. And not content with any attainments, was still pressing on to what his prospect in the promises, encouraged by his happy prelibations, assured him was attainable.
1. That remembring so much thereof your selves, and what opportnity I had of knowing the certainty of all: you would assure those who may enquire of you; That the impartial compiler hath kept within the bounds of truth and sobriety in prosecution of his honest aims, to advance the glory of Gods rich mercy to this chosen vessel, and by reviving what remains he could collect of this burning as well as shining light (alass how soon extinct!) to awaken and quicken the formal professors, if he may not induce the profane scoffers of this age, to a more serious study and improvement of those invisible Realities, the clear evidence and powerful influence whereof, our good friend did so abundantly experience. The truth is, the Transcriber (though best accomplished, and most inwardly acquainted with what, might conduce thereto) doth and could not but fall short of declaring the transcendent excelencies of this sublime soul and precious Saint, which till toward his end, when his heart was too full to hold in what could be uttered) were much concealed even to those who knew him best, by reason of his great humility and modesty. These disposed him rather to receive than communicate; except where he had no expectations ⟨image 9⟩of the former, and either familiar intercourse ingaged, or the apprehended exigency of those his heart was drawn out to in Christian love and compassion, constrained to the latter. Yet many of those precious streams that did flow from him we must lament the loss of, through default of careful rececivers or faithful retainers. He was of clear intellectuals and a large heart both for craving and comprehending what was worthy his persuit: which being happily improved by his education, and timely seasoned with a spiritual savour of Gospel mysteries (for obtaining of which he had then with others, choise advantages) was a great help to his proficiency in acquaintance with the vital exercises and soul satisfying enjoyment of the divine life, above not only his equals, but seniors and instructors. He was much dissatisfied with himself under any decays or abatements, till he could (if not alone, by imploring the assistance of Christian friends) recover what he sometime had had such sweet experience of. And not content with any attainments, was still pressing on to what his prospect in the promises, encouraged by his happy praelibations, assured him was attainable.
