While the Generality of Men, especially in these Days, by their eager pursuit after low and •se Interests, have Proc•med, as upon •he House-tops, how much they have forgotten to make choice of that better •art, which (if chosen) shall never be taken from them. It have made an Essay, •ch as it is, in the following Treatise, to •ake thee off from this unprofitable, th•gh painful pursuit, by proposing the chi•est of Interests, even The Christians Great Interest, to be seriously pondered and constantly pursued by thee: Thou ma•est think it strange to see any thing in print from my Pen, (as it is indeed a surprise to my self) but necessity hath made me for this once to offer so much violence to my own inclination, in regard that some, without my knowledge have lately Published some unperfect Notes of a few of my Sermons, most confusedly cast together, prefixing with, this vain Title (as displeasing to my self, as the Publishing of the thing) A Clear ⟨image ?⟩Attractive Warming-beam, &c. Upon this occasion was I prevailed with to Publish this late Piece, wherein I have purposely used a most homely and plain •le lest otherwise (though when I have stretched my self to the utmost, I am below the Judicious and more Understanding) I should be above the reach of the rude and ignorant, whose advantage I have mainly, if not only consulted. I have likewise studied Brevity in every thing▪ so far as I conceived it to be consistent with Plainness and Perspicuity; knowing that the persons to whom I address my self herein, have neither much Money to spend upon Books, nor much Time to spare upon Reading. If thou be a rigid Critic, I know thou mayest meet with several things to carp at, yet assure thy self that I had no design to offend thee, neither will thy simple approbation satisfy me; it's thy Edification I intend, together with the i•ment of some other more expert and experienced in this Excellent Subject, to handle the same at great length, which I have more brie•y hinted at:
WHile the Generality of Men, especially in these Dayes, by their eager pursuit after low and •se Interests, have Proc•med, as upon •he House-tops, how much they have frgotten to make choice of that better •art, which (if chosen) shall never be tak•n from them. It have made an Essay, •ch as it is, in the following Treatise, to •ake thee off from this unprofitable, th•gh painful pursuit, by proposing the chi•est of Interests, even The Christians Grea• Interest, to be seriously pondered and constantly pursued by thee: Thou ma•est think it strange to see any thing in •rint from my Pen, (as it is indeed a surprize to my self) but necessity hath made me for this once to offer so much violence to my own inclination, in regard that some, without my knowledge have lately Publish•d some unperfect Notes of a few of my Sermons, most confusedly cast together, prefixing with•, this vain Title (as displeasing to my self, as the Publishing of the thing) A Clear ⟨image ?⟩Attractive Warming-beam, &c. Upon this occasion was I prevailed with to Publish this late Piece, wherein I have purposely used a most homely and plain •le lest otherwise (though when I have stretched my self to the utmost, I am below the Judicious and more Understanding) I should be above the reach of the rude and ignorant, whose advantage I have mainly, if not only consulted. I have likewise studied Brevity in every thing▪ so far as I conceived it to be consistent with Plainness and Perspecuity; knowing that the persons to whom I address my self herein, have neither much Money to spend upon Books, nor much Time to spare upon Reading. If thou be a rigid Critick, I know thou mayest meet with several things to carp at, yet assure thy self that I had no design to offend thee, neither will thy simple approbation satisfie me; it's thy Edification I intend, together with the i•ment of some other more expert and experienced in this Excellent Subject, to handle the same at great length, which I have more briey hinted at:
