Christian Observations and Resolutions, Dedication – Observations
CHRISTIAN OBSERVATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS. OR, The daylie practise of the renewed man, turning all occurrents to spirituall uses, and these uses to his vnion with GOD.
I. CENTVRIE. VVith a Resolution for Death, &c.
Newlie published by Mr WILLIAM STRVTHER, Preacher of the Gospel at EDINBVRGH.
Ecclesiastes. 2. 14. The wise mans eyes are in his head, but the foole walketh in darknesse.
EDINBVRGH, Printed by the Heires of Andro Hart. ANNO DOM. 1628.
TO GOD ALMIGHTIE, GRATIOVS, MERCIFVLL, &c.
FATHER, SONNE AND HOLIE GHOST.
His most vnworthie Seruant thristing his glory in the Saluation of the Saints.
Mr. W. STRVTHER.
THESE first fruits of Thine owne Grace in mee, I offer to Thee, O Fountaine of Grace: Thy thoughts are pretious to mee, and thy Meditations sweete. All the desires of mine heart is to Thee, and to bring thy Saiuctes to thy fellowship, that in that vnion, they may enjoy Thy selfe, and partake true Happinesse.
Blesse all meanes vsed to that good end, that they may proue meanes of thine owne choyse, and worke. But aboue all, shedde abroad Thy louelove in the hearts of Thy people, then our preaching and writting will bee either lesse needefull, or more fruitfull. Thou hast won… to Thy selfe for euer the heart that is deepelie affected with the sense of Thy louelove: Thou knowest that it can no more byde or rest off Thee, than a stone of it selfe can hing in the aire.
While I thinke of Thee, my thoughts increase themselues, and while I preasse to expresse them, I can not satisfie my selfe, in that expression. Thou art in the heart that loueth Thee truelie, and that heauenlie affection ouercommeth it twise; once in vnspeakeable softning sweetnesse; nixt in an vnsufficiencie to vtter it: But this is some remeede, that it can poure it selfe immediatelie vponupon Thee: Words & writes come shorter than thoughts, and thoughts shorter than the affection, the onelie just and equall expressing of the affection, is to thrust it selfe on Thee, and to adhere and inhere in Thee continuallie. It sufficeth mee, that Thou knowest mine heart, and thine owne worke in it.
Let the Meditations of mine heart and the words of my mouth, bee acceptable to Thee, O GOD, my Strength, and my Redeemer, and direct Thou the workes of mine hands, that all may serue to the magnifying of Thy glorious Grace, and edifying of thy people.
AMEN.
TO THE CHRISTIAN Reader.
THE present time (Christian Reader) both offereth these obseruations to me, and throweth their publication from mee: None walketh with opened eyes, but these and the like shall occurre vntounto him. This time of the Gospel aboundeth in the meanes of sauing knowledge, but few partake it: The most part brutishlie neglect it; other in their search are carried on the by: Seeking, affecting, and resting on trifling knowledge as on happinesse; and many who in some sort find it out, doe separate from it both affection & action, & so preuailing Athesme, giueth thee effront to sauing Knowledge & Grace in the Gospel: But the Sun sendeth a quickening heate as well as a shining …ight; and man is borne with heart and hands, as well as with eyes: The worke of light is to discouer, but affection separateth vsus from the discouered euill, and ioyneth vsus to the knowne Good; and to walke in the direction of that Light, and the discerning of Affection is to know sauinglie.
It is the best knowledge which is about the best things, and needeth least change at Death. To know GOD and our happinesse in Him, hath no change at Death, but in the degree aduancing to perfection: As other thinges, so other knowledge will then vanish: This is the affectuous and actuous Knowledge according to godlinesse, wherevnto I labour in the Lord to stirre Thee vp. That knowing GOD in Christ, thou may liue in Him, and walke in Him: The sense of a God-head, is the marrow and kernell of Christianitie: Without this all our knowledge is but a carcase of knowledge, & wee our selues the carions of Christians:
The Lord worke these good things in thee, and thee to his Image, to fill Thee heere with Grace, and heereafter with glorie. Amen.
Thine in the Lord, Mr. William Struther.