The True Spring of Gospel Sight and Sense of Sin, To the reader 2
TO THE READER.
INstead of an Epistle Dedicatory, I shall only briefly acquaint thee with the Reasons that induced me to Print these Sermons: And why they came forth so long after they were Preached. I have sometimes ceased to be a Friend to the Press and never intended to Print them at all, though often put upon to do it: But the Lord, the Redeemer, whose Blessing and Power made Clay and Spittle to open the Eyes of the Blind, was pleased to own these so, as to make them of great Use to several. Their Entreaty, with divers others, prevailed with the Widdow of the Deceased, to importune me further, so that her Importunity join'd with theirs, obtained upon me, at least to redeem (when I could) now and then a little time from the great Work of Christ, that is upon my Hands, to set them in order, and so venture them into the World. There fell in also another cogent Motive, viz. The Consideration of the false and lying Stories scattered through City and Country concerning me and the Doctrines I Preach, made me willing to let all know (if they please to read) what those Doctrines are, and so they may make a better Judgment afterwards. And I do assure thee these Sermons contain the chief Substance of what I preached here in the Country: Therefore I have made some Additions hereunto, and Alterations suitable to my main Scope in Preaching this Year past. Had the Men of the World only cast Dirt, it would have been more tolerable. Better could not have been expected from them, but to act according to their Nature. But this has been piercing, that the Truths of Jesus have been wounded in the House of Friends. Here a sufficient Occasion is given for a pathetick Lamentation; But tell it not in Gath, and publish it not in Askelon, &c. Whatever Blows some aim at one another, they all fall upon their holy Profession, whilst a too eager Vindication is pursued of our good Names and Reputation from undue and unjust Calumnies, The Name of Jesus and his Gospel may be exposed to a greater Reproach. This made me choose to lie still with a Gag in my Mouth, whilst I was, and am still cloathed with Sambanettoes, than use the Methods I might to assert my wronged Innocency, leaving it to God, the Judge of all, to vindicate his Name and Gospel in his due time, and in his own way (which I am certain he will.) And as for me, let my Name lie in the Dust, provided it may make for the Honour of Christ, and the Furtherance of his Gospel. I am endeavouring to learn this Lesson, to rejoice in Reproaches from whatever Tongues they come) as well as in Infirmities for Christ's Sake; and I would press after that meek Spirit of the Gospel; that being defamed to intreat, viz. To intreat Christ on the Behalf of my Defamers, and entreat them in the Bowels of Mercy to lay aside their Enmity against the Lord Jesus his Truth and Ways.
Reader, I shall add no more, but commend thee to God and the Word of his Grace, which is not only able to translate thee out of Darkness into the Kingdom of his dear Son; but also build thee up therein, and give thee an Inheritance among them that are Sanctified. And now the God of Peace, that brought again from the Dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the Sheep, through the Blood of the everlasting Covenant, make thee perfect in every good Work to do his Will, working in thee that, that is well pleasing in his Sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be be Glory for ever and ever. Amen.