The Subject-Matter of the ensuing Discourse is represented summarily in the foregoing Contents. And a little comparing of the Heads proposed to be handled, with the state of things amongst the generality of them who are called Christians in the World, will sufficiently evidence the seasonableness of managing such a Design, or publishing Discourses of this nature. Wherefore the things treated of being such, as at first view will extort an acknowledgement from all persons not under the power of avowed Atheism, that they are of the greatest Importance; the open Presumptions and Security of the minds of many under the present decays of Light and Truth, both in their Power and Dispensation, rendering their proposal and pressing on the Consciences of men, both seasonable and necessary; there is nothing further to be considered about them; but only how the Author of this Treatise hath acquitted and discharged himself in the management of his Design: This by an unexpected Providence in the Death of a worthy Person who furthered the Publication of it, is required of me, with an Importunity ⟨p. ii⟩which I could not withstand, to deliver my thoughts unto. For although the Treatise be such in the whole, and all the parts of it, as needeth no Recommendation of mine, nor of others though of more weight and Authority than in any thing I pretend unto, nor perhaps will any thing that I can say contribute much unto its esteem with others; Yet out of that respect which I bear to the worthy Author, in that great distance from us wherein the Providence of God hath fixed his station in's Church and the World, I was not unwilling in a few words to declare my Judgment of his Labour in this matter, if so be it might prove a means to further the reception and usefulness of it in the World. The Apostolical Rule is, that in Doctrine the Ministers of the Word should show Uncorruptness, Gravity, Sincerity, sound Speech that cannot be condemned. And I think I may say without offence, submitting my Judgment unto that of other Readers, that I have not seen many Treatises of this nature, wherein that Rule hath been more diligently attended unto. Whatsoever else the Author aimed at, it is evident that plainness, perspicuity, gravity in delivering the Truth, were continually in his eye; nor hath he come short of attaining his Design.
THe Subject-Matter of the ensuing Discourse is represented summarily in the foregoing Contents. And a little comparing of the Heads proposed to be handled, with the state of things amongst the generality of them who are called Christians in the World, will sufficiently evidence the seasonableness of managing such a Design, or publishing Discourses of this nature. Wherefore the things treated of being such, as at first view will extort an acknowledment from all persons not under the power of avowed Atheism, that they are of the greatest Importance; the open Presumptions and Security of the minds of many under the present decays of Light and Truth, both in their Power and Dispensation, rendering their proposal and pressing on the Consciences of men, both seasonable and necessary; there is nothing further to be considered about them; but only how the Author of this Treatise hath aquitted and discharged himself in the management of his Design: This by an unexpected Providence in the Death of a worthy Person who furthered the Publication of it, is required of me, with an Importunity ⟨p. ii⟩which I could not withstand, to deliver my thoughts unto. For although the Treatise be such in the whole, and all the parts of it, as needeth no Recommendation of mine, nor of others though of more weight and Authority than in any thing I pretend unto, nor perhaps will any thing that I can say contribute much unto its esteem with others; Yet out of that respect which I bear to the worthy Author, in that great distance from us wherein the Providence of God hath fixed his station in's Church and the World, I was not unwilling in a few words to declare my Judgment of his Labour in this matter, if so be it might prove a means to further the reception and usefullness of it in the World. The Apostolical Rule is, that in Doctrine the Ministers of the Word should shew Uncorruptness, Gravity, Sincerity, sound Speech that cannot be condemned. And I think I may say without offence, submiting my Judgment unto that of other Readers, that I have not seen many Treatises of this nature, wherein that Rule hath been more diligently attended unto. Whatsoever else the Author aimed at, it is evident that plainness, perspicuity, gravity in delivering the Truth, were continually in his eye; nor hath he come short of attaining his Design.
