The Way to Blessedness, Preface – Diagram
¶ The Preface to every Christian Reader.
IN all Sciences whether liberall, or manuall, that Scholler makes the most happy progresse, whose Master doth first by instruction lay downe before him the grounds of his Art, and then farther opens them by practise, and example. That guide will best conduct us, who not onelyonly points out the way with his finger, but beats it with his foote, and cheerefully calls us after him.
This happines our great, and onelyonly Doctor affords us in his scriptures, who both propounds distinctly the mysteries of our faith in the Gospell, and the rule of our manners in the law, and with all illustrats both in the plaine tracte, beaten by himselfe, and his faithfull members, whose footsteps of holy faith, and conversation, printed deepe before us, hauehave made the way much more easie for us that follow.
It is no small light to us, when we see the combate between the Spi…it, and the flesh doctrinally expressed. Gal. 5. 17. But when we behold it acted personally in the Apostle (Rom. 7.) and view him wrastling with that loathsome, and cumbersome enemie, even the bodie of death, sometime taking, sometime giving the foyle, crying out for helpe, and breaking forth into thankes for his victorie, it doth not onelyonly cleare our understanding, but powerfully workes on our affections, shewes our enemie, and kindles us against him; first teacheth us, that fight we must; then instructs us how to fight how to overcome, and how to use the conquest.
Therefore I dare boldly affirme, and every good Christians experience will confirme it, no portion of scripture yeelds more comfort to a soule struggling with sinne, and almost fainting under the burthen of corruption, then that duell there managed by the Apostle under the persōs of all the faithfull. And this is the reason why the booke of Psalmes is by all acknowledged the most profitable, and usefull… because we here behold lively drawne, by Gods owne finger, not onelyonly the face, and hands (the outward profession, and actions) but the very heart of that man, who was according to Gods owne heart: and so may take there a full view of every limb, and be acquainted with every joynt, and feature of the new, and inward man: wee shall there see that heart ever in action, continually drawing from that living fountain the word (to which it cleaues unseparably) the waters of life, and having throughly concocted them in the affection, returning them againe to every part for growth and practice.
Sometime we may perceiue him, as a Conquerour, with that stone which the builders refused, casting downe the Goliah, which de…ies the Israel of God, even every high thing, which exalst it selfe against the knowledge of God; yea with his head in his hand, bringing into captivitie every thought to the obedience of Christ; sometime againe fainting (as in the battell with Ishibenob) under the speare of those uncircumcised affections, which still border on Gods people, and are sworne, and restles enemies against the Spirit. Here may you view him tugging, with that roring Lion, who seeks whom he may devour, and reskuing out of his mouth that almost lost sheep; there againe compast about with mighty bulls of Basan, gaping on him with their mouths, bayted with dogs, even the assembly of the wicked, and crying lowd for helpe, that his soule may be delivered from the sword, and the power of the dog. Oft-times you may heare him, like the Larke, singing, and mounting in his song; his heart well tuned, and his tongue co…sorting with it, both full to the brinks, and overflowing with praise, and thanksgiving, yet often mourning like a dove, and chattering like a swallow, his spirit drunke up, and sinking in the deepe waters, sticking fast in the mire, where no stay is: sometime faith even soring so high that it is sing'd with presumption, sometime plunged in the deep labouring for life, altogether benumbd, and almost frozen in despaire.
In a word, the Booke of Psalmes is a field, where we may be most skilfully trained in all our Christian warfare: where this great Commander, famous for earthly, but far more renowned for heavenly victories, will breed us up in skill, and courage by his owne example: where, of the one side wee shall learne to know all our spirituall enemies, their colours, weapons, stratagems, their manner of charging; of the other side our Captain, succours, armours offensive, and defensive, our discipline, conflict, victory, and triumph, and all these not onelyonly by relation, but action in our fellow-souldier, and an old experienced Commander.
This was the cause why having in the flock (over which the great Shepheard hath set me) for some yeers layed a foundation in the more contemplative, and doctrinall parts of scripture; I after desired to build on this ground, and lead them on to the practicall, here to learne of this holy Psalmi…t, how to doe that, which they have there learnt must be done. In this little brooke this net hath not wholy beene in vaine; which hath perswaded me to let it downe into the sea; I hauehave not fished for vaine glory, or applause of men, nor used such trammels, as may enclose any such game. He that hath spent most labour this way, hath tooke nothing, but that prouerb: He hath fished fair, and caught a frog. But if Christ may receiue any glory from hence, or any of his members pro…ite: this is all my Ambition; for which I will earnestly sue to him, who delights to glori…ie his power in humane weaknes, and teacheth the onelyonly wisdome by this reputed foolishnes. To his grace, in the Lord Iesus Christ… I heartily commend thee true Christian Reader; earnestly praying, thou mayst grow in knowledge; and more, in practise of what thou knowest.
Thy fellow-servant. Phinees Fletcher.
The Analysis.
… the P…er.
1. the Author.
Principall, The holy Ghost.
Subordinate, The Kingly Prophet David.
2. The matter here obserue
1. the Scope
Generall of all Scripture; to to be a lampe unto our feete, &c.
Speciall to discover
1. the blessednes of man.
2. the miserie of man.
2. The method where our Guide pointeth out
1. The right end desired of all
1. more confusedly and farre off in the summe, Blessed &c.
2. more distinctly aad neere hand.
1. by similitude A tree
1. planted. ver. 1.
2. watered. ver. 1.
3. fruitfull. ver. 1.
4. flourishing ver. 1.
2. by a part of it namely Prosperitie ver. 3.
And with the end the way to it.
1. The left hand to be declined
1. ungodly counsel ver. 1.
2. way of sinners. ver. 1.
3. seat of scorners. ver. 1.
2. The right hand to bee followed.
1. delighting in the word amplified by the time. day & night v. 2
2. meditating in the word amplified by the time. day & night v. 2
2. The contrary end detested of all, described.
1. Negatiuely, not so: that is,
1. not blessed, but cursed. ver. 4.
2. not planted, but wilde. ver. 4.
3. not watered, but parched. ver. 4.
4. not fruitfull, but barren. ver. 4.
5. not flourishing, but fading. ver. 4.
6. not prospering, but confounded. ver. 4.
2. Affirmatiuely.
1. By a similitude, As chaffe blowne away, vers. 4.
2. Simply,
1. to be condemned. ver. 5.
2. to be separated. ver. 5.
3. The reason of both, Gods providence
over-looking both vers. 6.
over-ruling both vers. 6.