A Glimpse of Zions Glory, Title page – To the reader
A GLIMPSE OF SIONS GLORY: OR, THE CHURCHES BEAUTIE ſpecified. Publiſhed for the Good and Benefit of all thoſe whoſe Hearts are raiſed up in the expectation of the glorious Liberties of the SAINTS.
PSAL. 87.3.
Glorious Things are ſpoken of Thee O thou Citie of GOD.
ESAY 40.10.11.
Behold, the LORD ſhall come with might againſt the ſtrong ones, and his arme ſhall rule for him, &c.
LONDON, Printed for WILLIAM LARNAR, and are to be ſold at his Shop at the Signe of the golden Anchor neere PAULS-Chaine. MDCXLI.
THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.
CHriſtian Reader, thou haſt here preſented to thy view a ſmall Tract: the matter whereof is weighty, and of concernment to all that are the profeſſed Subjects of Ieſus Chriſt. It is a thing of ſad conſequence to conſider how we have beene kept under blindneſſe and darkneſſe, although not totally, yet in a great meaſure, in regard of ſuch truths as doe immediately ſtrike at Antichriſt and his falſe power. As namely this great Truth, CHRIST the King of his Church; and that Chriſt hath given this Power to his Church, not to a Hierarchy, neither to a Nationall Presbytery, but to a company of Saints in a Congregationall way. Now theſe truths ſtrike directly at Antichriſt, and therefore kept and quell'd downe as errours. And ſo by reaſon of this obſcurity (we being halfe blind) ſuch bright truths ſeeme ſtrange to us, and goe under many aſperſions and calumnies, as carnall, erroneous, abſurd, and the like. And truely we have beene ſo accuſtomed to the yoke, that we ſeeme to beat down freedome, with caſting up a thouſand ſurmiſes, dreaming of ſtrange Conſequents. Nay, there is a generation of of Men in theſe times (ſome or moſt of them ſeeming to plead for Chriſt) are as inveterate againſt the one true Way of Jeſus Chriſt, as if it would be the bondage of Rehoboam, ſucceeding the light oppreſſion of Solomon: whereas it will prove to bee a Haven to our tedious ſtormes, and a period to many diſtractions.
READER, give over thy wonted cenſuring of mens Labours; and learne to be more wiſe; lay aſide all prejudiciall thoughts concerning this Tract, and weigh it in the Ballance of the Sanctuary, comparing it with the Word; if it will hold out there; then embrace it, and make uſe of it for thy comfort. Indeed it may be beneficiall to thee divers wayes.
Firſt, by this thou mayſt learne to prize Jeſus Chriſt more; what was that among other things that made Chriſt ſo beloved and excellent in the eyes of his Spouſe? His head was of Gold. Now what is this Head of Gold, but that excellent Government, that is upon his ſhoulder?
Secondly, it will adminiſter comfort to thee, in regard of the former yokes, of which there are hopes, they will bee broken off, at leaſt in the accompliſhing of theſe Truths; Nay the day is now dawning, wherein Sions Peace and Comforts ſhall bee fulfilled, Ieſus Chriſt ſet up, the ſole and great King of his Church.
Thirdly, it will teach you to make that uſe of it that the Apoſtle Peter doth of the like Truths: What manner of Perſons ought we to be? The uſe of it is divers, beyond my reach or weake Iudgement to preſcribe; and indeed my commendation of it doth but darken it, I being ſo far below the matter and the Author. But thy experience may make up that of which I fall ſhort. So commending Thee (both in the uſe of this, and any thing elſe that beares the ſtamp and Image of truth upon it) to the teaching of that Spirit, that is the Author of all Truth in the hearts of Beleevers, to be taught by it; I leave thee in the peruſing of this ſmall Treatiſe; hoping thou wilt reape ſome good by it. Farewell.
Thine in the Lord Jeſus. to command. W. K.