The Godly Mans Journey to Heaven, Dedication 5
TO THE VERY SINCERELY RELIGIous, and truly Noble Lord; DAVID, Lord CARNEGY of Kinnard; Lord of his Maiesties priuie Counsell, and Senator of the honorable Colledge of Iustice.
IF anie thing could come from my hands, my verie religious, Noble good Lord, worthie your Lordships fauorable countenance (vnlesse I would be accused by that twilight of nature, and condemned by that cleare light of grace, my God hath not altogether denied vntounto me; blessed be his name) I am most strictly obliged, were I as swift of foote as Hazael was, to runne with my whole strength to present it; both heartily, and humbly vntounto your Lordship. Was I not so farre honoured of God being yet a babe? that from my infancie, I had your Lordships sincerely and truly religious father of most rare worthy memorie, for my louing, and kindest father? and since his Lordships death to this day, hauehave I not alwayes had your Lordship for my constant patrone, and louing fosterer? It hath pleased my good God to bring to my hands a subiect, not vnworthie your Lordships consideration; and which hath refused to go forth to the world vponupon any condition, till it was couered vnderunder your Lordships nourishing, and protecting winges.
I hauehave reincountered with these cruell cunning Robbers, layed by Satan that Dragon and foxe in the way of the babes of God, to cut them off, lest they should in the end attaine vntounto that home of heauen they looke for: and discouered these Robbers to the sight of a valorous Dauid, who will proue readie, and able to apprehend and ouerthrow them.
I am now to meete (my worthy good Lord) with those fearefull Rockes, subtile Satan (abusing alas the foolish minds and foule hearts of manie professors) hath euen with their owne consent and applause, layed in their way to their wrack.
I am to come to that more then glorious Inne, towards the which the babes of God do iourney, and within the which they are to rest for euer. Yea, I am to intreate of the Guestes for whom that endlesse rest, which is to be found within the golden gates of this Inne, is prepared. Now to whom possibly could I hauehave presented these Rockes, to be considered and discouered vntounto the babes of God, to the end that they might eschue them beside your Lordship? who being taught of God, hath happily learned to adore Gods holy oracles, and to abhorre all hellish conclusions; and who is a Pilot ledde by the Spirit and lanterne of his word, is not onelyonly able to shew the babes of God where these Rockes do lie, but by your Lorships wholesome counsell, and holy carriage, to stirre them vp to take their course by them.
Who so fit to allure men towards that Inne of heauen, as your Lordship? who liuing among men for some yeares, hath alwayes bene walking with God with Enoch, and before God with Abraham; hauing your conuersation in the heauens, setting your affections on things which are aboue, and not which are on the earth; and so able out of a sense of these things which God hath prepared for those who louelove him, to exhort all men, casting away euerie thing that presseth downe, Heb. 12. 12.and the sinne that hangeth so fast on, to runne with patience the race which is set before them, looking vntounto Iesus, the author and finisher of their faith. To whom could I offer the consideration of the condition of these guests, for whom that Inne of heauen is prepared, omitting your Lordship? who being taught of God knowes, that not all those who crie:Mat. 7. 21. Lord, Lord, shall enter in the kingdome of heauen, but those who do the will of that father which is in heauen; 1. Ioh. 3. 2. 3that whosoeuer hath this hope in him, that when Christ shall appeare he shall be like him, seeing him as he is; purgeth himselfe as he is pure. Alwaies (in respect of these large promises made vntounto him by God) cleansing himselfe from all filthinesse of the flesh, 2. Cor. 71. 1and spirit; and growing vp in full holinesse in the feare of God. From my soule, beseeching my good God for the sonne of his loues sake, so to sanctifie, and to guard your Lordships, with your Lordships present, and future Noble posteritie that your Lordship with them, happily declining these fearefull Rockes, and pleasantly iourneying towards that heauenly Inne, may at length, as guests fitted of God for it, be receiued to lodge within it, possessing in Gods presence, fulnesse of ioy, and at his right hand, pleasures for euermore.
Your Lordships most humble deuoted: D. L.