The Saints Daily Exercise, Title page – To the reader
THE SAINTS DAILY EXERCISE.
A Treatise concerning the whole dutie of prayer.
Delivered In fiue Sermons vponupon 1 Thess. 5. 17.
By the late faithfull and worthy Minister of Iesus Christ, IOHN PRESTON, Dr. in Divinity, Chaplaine in ordinary to his Maiesty, Master of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and sometimes Preacher of Lincolnes Inne.
IAMES 5. 16. The effectuall fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
PSAL. 66. 18. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not heare my prayer.
LONDON, Printed by W. I. and are to bee sold by Nicholas Bourne, at the South Entrance of the Royall Exchange. 1629.
TO THE READER.
Courteous Reader.
TO discourse largely of the necessity and vse of this peece of spirituall armour, after so many learned and vsefull Treatises, vponupon this subiect, may seeme super fluous, especially considering that there is much spoken to this purpose, for thy satisfaction, in the insuing Treatise; wherein, besides the vnfolding of the nature of this dutie, (which is the Saints daily exercise) and strong inforcement to it, there is an endeavour to giuegive satisfaction in the most incident cases, want of clearing whereof is vsually an hindrance to the chearefull, and ready performance thereof. In all which, what hath beene done by this Reverend and worthy man, we had rather should appeare in the Treatise it selfe, to thy indifferent iudgement, then to bee much in setting downe our owne opinion. This we doubt not of, that, by reason of the spirituall, and convincing manner of handling this Argument, it will winne acceptance with many, especially considering, that it is of that nature, wherein, though much hauehave beene spoken, yet much more may be said with good relish to those that hauehave anie spirituall sense: for it is the most spirituall action, wherein wee hauehave nearer communion with God, then in anie other holie performance, and whereby it pleaseth God to conveigh all good to vsus, to the performance whereof Christians finde most backwardnesse, and indisposedness, and from thence most deiection of spirit; which also in these times, is most necessarie, wherein, unlesse wee fetch helpe from heaven, this way, wee see the Church and Cause of God like to be trampled vnderunder feete. Onelie, remember that we let these Sermons passe forth as they were delivered by himselfe, in publicke, without taking that libertie of adding or detracting, which, perhaps, some would hauehave thought meete: for wee thought it best that his owne meaning should be expressed in his owne words and manner, especially considering there is little which perhaps may seeme superfluous …o some, but may, by Gods blessing, be vsefull to others. It would be a good prevention of manie inconveniences, in this kinde, if able men would bee perswaded to publish their owne works in their life time, yet wee thinke it a good service to the Church, when that defect is supplied by giving some life to those things, which otherwise would hauehave died of themselues. The blessing of these labours of his we commend vntounto God, & the benefit of them vntounto thee, resting
Thine in our Lord Iesus Christ, RICHARD SIEES. IOHN DAVENPORT.