The Whole Duty of Man, Title page 1 – Author to printer
The Whole DUTY of MAN laid down IN A PLAIN WAY for the use of the MEANEST READER. Dwided into XVII CHAPTERS One whereof being read every LORDS DAY the whole may be Read over, thrice in the Year
Necessary for all Families.
With PRIVATE DEVOTIONS.
London Printed for T. Garthwait, at the little North Door of S. Pauls. 1659
Mr. GARTHWAIT,
YOu needed not any Intercession to recommend this task to me, which brought its Invitations and Reward with it. I very willingly read over all the sheets, both of the Discourse, and the Devotions annext, and finde great cause to bless God for both, not discerning what is wanting in any part of either, to render it with Gods blessing, most sufficient, and proper to the great End designed, the Spiritual supplies and advantages of all those that shall be exercised therein. The Subject matter of it, is indeed, what the Title undertakes, The Whole Duty of Man, Set down in all the Branches, with those advantages of brevity and Partitions, to invite, and support, and engage the Reader, That Condescension to the meanest capacities, but with all, That weight of Spiritual Arguments, wherein the best Proficients will be glad to be assisted, that it seems to me equally fitted for both sorts of Readers, which shall bring with them a sincere desire of their own, either present or future advantages. The Devotion part in the Conclusion is no way inferiour, being a seasonable aid to every mans Infirmities, and hath extended it self very particularly to all our principal concernments; The Introduction hath supplyed the place of a Preface, which you seem to desire from me, and leaves me no more to add, but my Prayers to God, That the Author which hath taken care to convey so liberal an Alms to the Corban so secretly, may not miss to be rewarded openly, in the visible power, and benefit of this Work, on the hearts of the whole Nation, which was never in more need of such supplyes, as are here afforded. That his All-sufficient Grace will blesse the seed sown, and give an abundant encrease, is the humblest request of
March 7. 1657 Your assured Friend, H. HAMMOND.