IF the skill in handling of it had any way answered the excellency and utility of the subject handled in the following Sermons, there would have needed no Apology for the publication of them. The Parable under consideration compriseth (in most lively and heart-affecting allusions) many precious truths. Here are divers Mysteries of Providence cleared, pointing to those secret ways wherein God carries his Decree of Election under ground▪ a great while, before it rise and break out in effectual Calling: here we learn how far a chosen one may run from God before he turns: here we are instructed in the methods God useth to bring wanderers home, and recover the most profligate Sinners by Repentance: the nature of true Repentance is here curiously limned, and the transactions between God and a Sinner in his Conversion pathetically described: ⟨image ?⟩yea, how miserable a thing it is to be a Sinner, how happy to be a Saint is wonderfully illustrated. The fountain of Grace is here opened, and the deep streams in which it runs revealed: and all this accommodated to the most feeling apprehensions of the soul. I confess▪ I have but drawn a veil upon the picture, and am deeply sensible of my own insufficiency to Display these Mysteries: all the account which I can give of the publishing this imperfect thing, is, knowing it the desire and duty of those that fear God, as they have opportunity, to do all the good they may in their places; & God having so far afforded his Presence and Blessing with these Sermons in the Preaching, that many Souls have born witness to the benefit received by them, some of whom have desired they might have the further advantage of their being made public; I was therefore induced for this reason to consent to it; hoping withal (if God sees meet) that it may be further beneficial to some or other, to show them to themselves, and instruct them in the way of life: to give light also to, and help some to prove themselves and their own state: only let it be (for caution) ⟨image ?⟩adverted, that I have not here undertaken to confine the Spirit of God in his ways and methods with his Elect, in bringing them home; but only have signified that something of all that is herein expressed is one way or other done in the Soul that is savingly brought over to Christ. The work of Conversion begins to be thought a small thing;
IF the skill in handling of it had any way answered the excellency and utility of the subject handled in the following Sermons, there would have needed no Apology for the publication of them. The Parable under consideration comprizeth (in most lively and heart-affecting allusions) many pretious truths. Here are divers Mysteries of Providence cleared, pointing to those secret wayes wherein God carries his Decree of Election under ground▪ a great while, before it rise and break out in effectual Calling: here we learn how far a chosen one may run from God before he turns: here we are instructed in the methods God useth to bring wanderers home, and recover the most profligate Sinners by Repentance: the nature of true Repentance is here curiously limned, and the transactions between God and a Sinner in his Conversion pathetically described: ⟨image ?⟩yea, how miserable a thing it is to be a Sinner, how happy to be a Saint is wonderfully illustrated. The fountain of Grace is here opened, and the deep streams in which it runs revealed: and all this accommodated to the most feeling apprehensions of the soul. I confess▪ I have but drawn a veil upon the picture, and am deeply sensible of my own insufficiency to Display these Mysteries: all the account which I can give of the publishing this imperfect thing, is, knowing it the desire and duty of those that fear God, as they have opportunity, to do all the good they may in their places; & God having so far afforded his Presence and Blessing with these Sermons in the Preaching, that many Souls have born witness to the benefit received by them, some of whom have desired they might have the further advantage of their being made publick; I was therefore induced for this reason to consent to it; hoping withal (if God sees meet) that it may be further beneficial to some or other, to shew them to themselves, and instruct them in the way of lise: to give light also to, and help some to prove themselves and their own state: only let it be (for caution) ⟨image ?⟩adverted, that I have not here undertaken to confine the Spirit of God in his wayes and methods with his Elect, in bringing them home; but only have signified that something of all that is herein expressed is one way or other done in the Soul that is savingly brought over to Christ. The work of Conversion begins to be thought a small thing;
