I Think it necessary to give the Reader a brief account of the nature and design of the plain ensuing Discourse, which may both direct him in the reading, and be some kind of Apology for my self in the publishing of it. He may therefore know, that the Thoughts here communicated, were originally private Meditations for my own use, in a season wherein I was every way unable to do any thing for the Edification of others, and far from expectation that ever I should be so able any more in this World. Receiving, as I thought, some Benefit and satisfaction in the Exercise of my own Meditations therein, when God was graciously pleased to restore a little strength unto me, I insisted on the same Subject, in the Instruction of a private Congregation; and this I did, partly out of a sense of the Advantage I had received my self by being conversant in them and partly from an Apprehension, that the Duties directed and pressed unto, in the whole Discourse, were seasonable from all sorts of present Circumstances, ⟨image 3⟩to be declared and urged on the Minds and Consciences of Professors. For leaving others unto the choice of their own Methods and Designs, I acknowledge that these are the two things whereby I regulate my Work in the whole Course of my Ministry. To impart those Truths of whose Power I hope I have had in some measure, a real Experience, and to press those Duties which present Occasions, Temptations, and other Circumstances do render necessary to be attended unto in a peculiar manner, are the things which I would principally apply my self unto in the Work of teaching others. For as in the Work of the Ministry, in general, the whole Counsel of God concerning the Salvation of the Church by Jesus Christ is to be declared; so in particular, we are not to fight uncertainly as men beating the Air, nor shoot our Arrows at Random, without a certain Scope and Design. Knowledge of the Flock whereof we are Overseers, with a due Consideration of their Wants, their Graces, their Temptations, their Light, their Strength, and Weakness, are required herein. And when in pursuance of that Design, the Preparation of the Word to be dispensed, proceeds from Zeal to the glory of God, and Compassion unto the Souls of Men;
I Think it necessary to give the Reader a brief account of the nature and design of the plain ensuing Discourse, which may both direct him in the reading, and be some kind of Apology for my self in the publishing of it. He may therefore know, that the Thoughts here communicated, were originally private Meditations for my own use, in a season wherein I was every way unable to do any thing for the Edification of others, and far from expectation that ever I should be so able any more in this World. Receiving, as I thought, some Benefit and satisfaction in the Exercise of my own Meditations therein, when God was graciously pleased to restore a little strength unto me, I insisted on the same Subject, in the Instruction of a private Congregation; and this I did, partly out of a sense of the Advantage I had received my self by being conversant in them and partly from an Apprehension, that the Duties directed and pressed unto, in the whole Discourse, were seasonable from all sorts of present Circumstances, ⟨image 3⟩to be declared and urged on the Minds and Consciences of Professors. For leaving others unto the choice of their own Methods and Designs, I acknowledge that these are the two things whereby I regulate my Work in the whole Course of my Ministry. To impart those Truths of whose Power I hope I have had in some measure, a real Experience, and to press those Duties which present Occasions, Temptations, and other Circumstances do render necessary to be attended unto in a peculiar manner, are the things which I would principally apply my self unto in the Work of teaching others. For as in the Work of the Ministry, in general, the whole Councel of God concerning the Salvation of the Church by Jesus Christ is to be declared; so in particular, we are not to fight uncertainly as men beating the Air, nor shoot our Arrows at Random, without a certain Scope and Design. Knowledge of the Flock whereof we are Overseers, with a due Consideration of their Wants, their Graces, their Temptations, their Light, their Strength, and Weakness, are required herein. And when in pursuance of that Design, the Preparation of the Word to be dispensed, proceeds from Zeal to the glory of God, and Compassion unto the Souls of Men;
