Four Useful Discourses, Title page – To the reader
FOUR Uſeful Diſcourſes: VIZ.
I. The Art of Improving a full and proſperous Condition, for the Glory of GOD; being an Appendix to the Art of Contentment: in Three Sermons on Philip IV. 12.
II. Chriſtian Submiſſion, on I Sam III. 18.
III. Chriſt a Chriſtian's Life; and Death his Gain; on Philip I. 21.
IV. The Goſpel of Peace ſent to the Sons of Peace; in Six Sermons on Luke X. 5, 6.
By JER. BƲRROƲGHS, Late Preacher of the GOSPEL at Stepney and Cripplegate.
Publiſhed by his hand who put forth ſome of his Books when Mr. BURROUGHS was living by his approbation; and moſt of thoſe which came forth ſince his Death.
LONDON, Printed for Thomas Parkhurſt, and ſold at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapſide, and at the Bible on London Bridge, 1675
TO THE READER.
IT may too truly be ſaid of the Miniſters of Chriſt, that it often fares with the Births of their Brains, as with the Fruit of their Loyns; their Books have the ſame fate with their Children, who though well maintained, and much reſpected in the life time of their Parents; yet are afterwards expoſed to neglect, and often to contempt; unleſs their own merits renew the leaſe of that which none could ever yet call inheritance. The Poſthumous Works of the Servants of Chriſt, will (like helpleſs Orphans) ſuffer by the rough hands of violence and injury, unleſs they can redeem themſelves at more than an ordinary rate of worth. Wherefore this Book, now put into thy hands, hath brought its redemption money with it for that purpoſe.
Though the Name alone of the Author (being among the firſt Three) might have given it a reputation in any Age but this, his Works having ſaid that for him in the Gate, which Envy it ſelf cannot gain ſay: Yet notwithſtanding it bids ſo high for the acceptation of all, by its own worth and excellency, that he muſt be condemned for a Man of unexerciſed ſenſes in the matters of good and evil, that ſhall not embrace it upon its own terms.
The publiſhing the Labours of ſuch Men of worth, is of an happy tendency to promote our communion with them in the Spirit, whom it may be we never ſaw in the Fleſh; and it is to be reckoned among our mercies, when the dead are made to ſpeak, that the living may be perſwaded to hear: for this thou art indebted to the faithful pen of a ready Writer, whoſe indefatigable and (for ought I yet know) unparallel'd induſtry, hath already bleſſed the World with ſo many of the grateful labours of this ſervant of Chriſt, whoſe Name knows no rottenneſs.
M. M. Stepney 13 September 1675.