Glad Tidings from Heaven to the Worst of Sinners on Earth, Title page – To the reader
GLAD TYDINGS from HEAVEN; TO The Worst of SINNERS on Earth.
BY WALTER CRADOCK Late Preacher at Hallows Great in LONDON;
LUKE 2 10. Feare not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.
LONDON, Printed by Mathew Simmons 1648.
To the Christian Reader;
READER,
THe nature of man is prone to be inquisitive after newes, especially in these unsetled, distracted times amongst us, it is a great part of the imploiment of people and takes up much of their time, as if London, were Athens, and the people thereof Athenians, (who spent their time in nothing else: Act. 17. 21.but either to tell, or to heare some newes.) And yet the news wee beare is sometimes bad, sometimes uncertain, and many times false. Divert thy thoughts awhile from earthly things, and in this ensuing Treatise thou shalt heare, what newes from heaven in the Gospel. The Law indeed brings us tidings: but it is like the message of Ehud, to Eglon, it brings a dagger with it that stabs mortally: but the tidings of the Gospel is like that message Judg. 3. 21.of the young Prophet to Jehu, to make him a King.2. King. 9. 6
There is nothing truly terrible, but the Gospel brings tidings of our freedome from it, (if we be believers) nor nothing truly amiable, but it tells us of our interest in it. How welcome to a poore captive is newes of deliverance from slaverie? The Gospel brings us tidings of our deliverance from sin, Satan, death, hell, from wrath, and damnation, it tells us of riches, and glory, and Kingdomes, and Crownes, and what soever may satisfie the capacious soule of man.
God hath appointed different conditions for men, and Angels, the Angels that stood they are so confirmed that they cannot fall; the Angels that fell they are determined under eternail wrath that they cannot rise, but God from everlasting in his love, and mercy had appointed that fallen man should have a way of recovery, as a board after ship wracke, whereby he might come safe to the shore. And God in time was pleased to come out of his hidden eternity, and to discover this love of his to the world, and hath sent his Son to puhchase it, and his Spirit to apply it, and his servants to tell (not this, or that perticuler man) but all Nations, that whosoever believeth in Jesus Christ Mat 28. 19 Luk. 2. 10 Joh. 3. 16.shall have everlasting life: this blessed tidings is brought by the Gospel.
And let none say this newes is to good to be true, for God who is truth it selfe (as it were on purpose) to anticipate the infidelity of man, hath said it, and sworne it, and sealed it with the blood of his deare Son, that we might have strong consolation; and hath made this fabrick Heb. 6. 8.of the world to be as a stage to act the redemption of his people on, which being finished, it shall be no more.
It should stir us up to love, and blesse the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ, and the holy Spirit; and to imbrace the Messengers that bring those glad tidings, to account their very feet beautifull, the meanest part of the body, and upon the moutaines, the barren places of the earth. And I Isa. 52. 7.doubt not but many poore soules can from experience blesse God for the worthy Authour in those barren mountaines, where he converseth, and else where, and say of him as David of Ahimaaz, he is a good man, and bringeth good tidings. Though others being hardened spit at such lights, 2 Sam 18. 27.and labour to extinguish who God in just judgment will cause to stumble, and fall, and lie downe in eternall darknesse. But I shall detaine thee no longer from the the work; but commend it and thee to Gods blessing, and rest.
Thine in the Gospel of Christ.