The Sovereign and Final Happiness of Man with Means to Obtain it, Title page – Errata
THE Soveraign and Final HAPPINESS OF MAN, WITH The Effectual Means to obtain it.
By WILLIAM BATES, D. D.
Prudentes & arbitri aequitatis institutiones civilis juris compositas ediderunt, quibus civium dissidentium lites contentiones que sopirent. Quanto melius nos & rectius divinas institutiones literis persequemur, in quibus non destillicidiis, aut aquis arcendis, aut de manu conserenda, sed de spe, de vita, de salute, de immortalitate, de Deo loquimur? Lactan. de fals. Relig.
LONDON, Printed by J. D. For Brabazon Aylmen, at the three Pigeons, over against the Royal-Exchange, in Cornhil, 1680.
THE PREFACE.
THE Argument before us recommends it self as from its Nature and Quality, for true Happiness is the first and last in the order of things desireable; the first for its attractive Excellence, the last in its consummate Fruition; so upon this most valuable account, that it nearly concerns every Person. For Happiness is not restrained to any peculiar rank of Men, but may equally and perpetually be possest by all that sincerely apply themselves to obtain it. If in the very different States of Life here, there were any uncapable of Eternal Life, or that have another Object for their last end, there might be some reason why they should not feel their desires inflam'd, and Spirits moved towards Celestial Felicity, and to justify their sole Pretensions to the things of Time, whereto their Interests are confin'd. But the offer of Heaven comprehends all that upon God's Terms will accept it. The most sensible inequality that Riches, Dignity, or any other Temporal Accident makes between Men here, is so true a Nothing in comparison of Eternal Glory, that it makes no difference of one from another as to the obtaining of it.
Besides the universal respect wherein the Doctrine of Eternal Salvation concerns all Men as capable of it, 'tis also of admirable use to their various Conditions Temporal and Spiritual. For the prosperous or afflicted in the World; the Strangers to serious Religion, or the experienc'd in the Affairs of the Soul; the newly entred into a state of Grace, or the greatest Proficients, may find what is suitable to them in the consideration of it. As the quickning Influences of Heaven are appropriated to the divers Qualities of Fruits, with that discreet Operation, that the hard are soften'd, the small acquire growth and substance, the Green are colour'd and made beautiful, the harsh become pleasant, and receive their fragrancy and full maturity▪ Thus the virtue of the Celestial Reward is powerful to reform the obstinate in Evil, and to encourage the irresolute in Good, to produce the first Life of Holiness, and to cherish and strengthen it till it comes to perfection. Happiness is the Spring and Crown of our Obedience.
I shall only add this, That no Argument has more exercised the Minds of the wisest and best Men, than the last End and highest Good of Man: and that in the managing of this most necessary Subjest, I have selected some things from their Writings, that were proper to my Design, which I acknowledg with that candor as if I had particularly named them.
ERRATA.
PAge 34. Line 24. for that because he was debased, read because he that was debased. P. 97. l. 17. f. is discovered, when 'tis clear and entire, r. is discovered, first when 'tis clear and entire. P. 203. l. 7. f. The Heart fill'd, r. Moreover, the Heart fill'd. P. 206. l. 17. f. that reflecting upon his Birth-day and the Age of his Life, r. that on his Birth-day, reflecting upon the Age of his Life. P. 233. l. 29. f. warn the Heart, r. warm the Heart. P. 238. l. 3. f. as it must so be, r. as it must be so. P. 239. l. 18. f. that avoid the one, r. that to avoid the one. P. 247. l. 8. f. that Blood of Vipers, r. that Brood of Vipers.