Precious Promises the Portion of Overcomers, Title page – Dedication
PRECIOUS PROMISES The Portion of OVERCOMERS.
BY JOHN LOƲGHER, Miniſter of the Goſpel.
Vincenti Dabitur.
LONDON: Printed by A. Maxwell, and R. Roberts, for Edw. Giles, Bookseller in Norwich, 1681.
To my Honoured and Worthy Friends and Brethren in, and about Southrepps and Alby in Norfolk; Grace and Peace be multiplied, through the knowledg of God and of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt.
Dear Friends and Brethren,
UNder Chriſt, (whoſe I deſire chiefly to be, and whom I would firſtly ſerve) you are neareſt to me in ſpiritual relation, and deareſt in Chriſtian affection, having, upon your call and invitation thereunto, given my ſelf to the ſervice of your Souls; and though through much infirmity, I have preached the Goſpel to you, (being the moſt unworthy of them who Miniſter in holy things) yet my weakneſs you have not deſpiſed nor rejected, but received me as an Angel of God, yea, even as Chriſt Jeſus: And though I have ſpent nigh Eighteen years amongſt many of you, yet I have not reaſon to put that queſtion to you, which St. Paul did unto his Galatians, Where is then the bleſſedneſs you ſpeak of? For your reſpects to me and my weak endeavours, continue freſh and vigorous at this day, even as at the firſt. To ſome of you I am obliged in many bonds of gratitude, to all in love and duty; to others I owe much, to you my ſelf; and therefore I could make a dedication of theſe Diſcourſes to none ſo fitly as your ſelves. The many imperfections in them, may render them contemptible to others, yet I know your love will cover my defects, and will receive them with as much candour and kindneſs from the Preſs, as you did attend them with diligence and affection in the Preaching of them; eſpecially, conſidering that ſome of you importuned me to it, judging them ſeaſonable; I cannot eaſily wiſh the ſubject treated of greater or better, but the manner of explaining and applying theſe excellent Promiſes, I could deſire were much better for your ſakes: But where there is a willing mind, it is accepted with Chriſt, and I doubt not but you will be conformable to his example in this particular.
As the following Sermons were at firſt Preached for your inſtruction, and now publiſhed for your edification; ſo let them be well digeſted by meditation, and practiſed in your converſation. You are called a Church of Chriſt. O ſtudy to be ſo indeed, viz. A Congregation of faithful ones; faithful to God, and with the Saints. Be not like Epheſus, declining, in your love and firſt works; or if you be abated therein, remember whence you are fallen, and labour to recover. Be not like Pergamos and Thyatira, ſeduced by erronious Principles, or debauched by evil Practiſes: Above all, be not like Laodicea, ſelf-conceited, and proud of your attainments and enjoyments, or lukewarm in the great things of ſalvation, for ſuch are loathſom to the heart and ſpirit of Jeſus Chriſt: But be you a ſweet-ſmelling Smyrna; let the ſavour of Chriſts good Ointments be manifeſted in all your words and ways; and ſhew your ſelves Philadelphians, of humble, meek, loving diſpoſitions towards one another, unto all the Saints, yea, even unto all men.
In a word, Labour to approve your ſelves good Soldiers of Jeſus Chriſt; look to him who is the Author and finiſher of your faith: yield not to, compound not with, fly not from your ſpiritual enemies, but reſiſt ſtedfaſtly, for Chriſt ſtands by you, fights for you, and will give victory to you in the end. 'Tis reported of the ancient Britiſh Nation, that they never ran away in Battel, till their General firſt forſook them: Let us all demean our ſelves valiantly in our Chriſtian warfare, till Chriſt the Captain of our ſalvation deſert us; which will never be, for we have his faithful Promiſe, ſaying, I will never leave you nor forſake you: To his bleſſing and holy protection I commend you, deſiring the continuance of your Prayers for me, and your acceptance of this ſmall teſtimony of my reſpects to you, by which I may ſpeak to you, when I ſhall go from hence and be ſeen no more. I am
March 26. 1681. Your weak but willing Servant in the work of the Goſpel John Lougher.