A Token for Children, Preface 2
A PREFACE TO THE READER.
Chriſtian Reader,
IN the former part of my Tokens for Children, I did in part promiſe, that if that piece met with kind entertainment, it might be followed with a ſecond of the ſame nature. If it did not ſeem a little to ſavour of vanity, I might tell the World what encouragement I have met with in this Work; but this I will only ſay, that I have met with ſo much as hath perſwaded me to give this little Book leave to go abroad into the World. I am not alſo ignorant, what Diſcouragement I may meet with from ſome, but as long as I am ſure I ſhall not meet with this, that it's improbable, if not impoſſible, that it ſhould ſave a Soul; I think the reſt may eaſily be anſwered, or warrantably ſlighted. But becauſe I am perſwaded by ſome, that one Example in the former, (viz. that of a Child that began to be ſerious between two and three years old) was ſcarce credible, and they did fear might ſomewhat prejudice the authority of the reſt, I ſhall ſay ſomething to anſwer that. They which make this Objection are either good or bad; if bad, I expect never to ſatisfie them, except I ſhould tell them of a Romance or a Play, or ſomewhat that might ſuit a carnal mind, it is like holineſs in older perſons, is a matter of contempt and ſcorn to them, much more in ſuch as theſe I mention. The truth of it is, it is no wonder at all to me, that the Subjects of Satan ſhould not be very well pleaſed with that, whoſe deſign is to undermine the intereſt of their great Maſter: nothing will ſatisfie ſome, except Chriſt and holineſs may be degraded and vilified. But hold ſinner hold, never hope it, Heaven ſhall never be turned into Hell for thy ſake, and as for all thy Atheiſtical Objections, Scoffs and Jeers, they ſhall ere long be fully anſwered; and the Hoſannah's and Hallelujah's of theſe Babes ſhall condemn thy Oaths, Blaſphemies, and Jeers, and then thou wilt be ſilenced, and accept converting Grace turn thy heart quickly, thou wilt for ever rue thy madneſs and Folly, when it is too late to remedy it.
But if the Perſons that make this Objection be godly, I queſtion not but that I may give them reaſonable ſatisfaction.
Firſt, conſider who it is that I had that example from. It was one Mrs. Jeofries in, Long-Lane in Mary Magdalen Bermondſey Pariſh, in the County of Surry, a woman of that ſame in the Church of Christ, for her exemplary Piety, Wiſdom, Experience, and ſingular watchfulneſs over every punctilio that ſhe ſpeaks; that I queſtion not but that her name is precious to moſt of the Miniſters of London, at leaſt in the Burrough; and as a reverend Divine ſaid, Such a Mother in Iſrael, her ſingle Teſtimony about London, is of as much authority almoſt as any one ſingle Miniſters: And having ſince diſcourſed this matter with her, ſhe calls God to witneſs, that ſhe hath ſpoken nothing but the Truth; only in this ſhe failed, in that ſhe ſpake not by far ſo much as ſhe might have done concerning that ſweet Babe. I might add, that I have ſince that, ſeen a godly gentleman out of the Countrey, that did profeſs to me, that he had ſeen as much as that in a little one of the ſame age, who ſince that time, I hear, went ſweetly to Heaven. Doth not the Reverend Mr. Clark, in his Works, quote a Child of two years old that looked towards Heaven? Doth not credible Hiſtory acquaint us with a Martyr at ſeven years old, that was whipped almoſt to death, and never ſhed one tear nor complained, and at laſt had his Head ſtruck off? I do not ſpeak of theſe as common matters, but record them amongſt thoſe ſtupendious Acts of him that can as eaſily work Wonders as not. What is too hard for the Almighty? Hath God ſaid he will work no more wonders? I think moſt of Gods works in the buſineſs of Converſion call for Admiration: And I believe that Silence or rather Praiſe would better become Saints, than queſtioning the truth of ſuch things; eſpecially where an apparent Injury is thereby done to the Intereſt of Chriſt, the Honour of Gods Grace, and the Reputation of ſo eminent a Saint. I judge this ſufficient to ſatisfie moſt, as for others I trouble not my ſelf; if I may but promote the intereſt of Chriſt, and the Good of Souls, and give up my Account with joy, it's enough. That the Lord would bleſs my endeavours to theſe ends, I beg the prayers of all Saints, and yours alſo ſweet Children that fear the Lord; and that Parents and Maſters would aſſiſt me with their warm application of theſe things, and that Children may be their Crown and their Joy, is the Prayer of one that deſires to love Chriſt and little children dearly.
James Janeway,