A Heaven or Hell Upon Earth, To the reader
An ADDRESSE TO THE Conſcience of the READER.
Conſcience,
MY Expectation is greater from Thee, than from any thing in the Reader beſides. I make no queſtion, but what I have written being oppoſite unto the ſinfull and corrupt Inclinations of men, will alſo be diſpleaſing to their Humour; but I have hope that Thou wilt ſide with me. 'Tis eaſie to convince Thee, that Sin is to the prejudice of the whole Man; that a Redeemer is to be prized by Sinners who are under the worſt kind of Bondage; and that Holineſs is for men's Honour, and Intereſt, and Safety. 'Tis eaſie to convince Thee, that thoſe Pleaſures and Advantages which are offer'd in Temptation, are inconſiderable, and that 'tis the heighth of Folly to yield unto the Tempter, to forſake an All-ſufficient God, to hazard an immortal Soul, and venture the enduring of Eternal Miſery, for the ſake of thoſe Profits and Delights which are ſo mixed and unſatisfactory while enjoyed; and which can continue at longeſt but a very ſhort ſeaſon.
And ſince it is moſt certainly thus, O Conſcience, keep not ſilence, produce the Word of God, and there ſhew how the Lord has given thee a Negative Voice, and allows nothing to be done that may defile or wound thee. Proteſt loudly and peremptorily againſt all Sin, call Heaven and Earth to witneſs, and God himſelf unto thine aſſiſtance; Vigorouſly oppoſe the Enemy of Mankind, who hath his Name Apollyon, becauſe he endeavours to deſtroy all. Beſtirre thy ſelf, and joyn with Me in endeavouring to hinder the everlaſting Ruine of every Reader who ſhall take this Book into his hand.
My deſign is not to turn People to a Party, but to turn them unto God; that which I preach up is Faith in our Lord Jeſus, and Purity in Heart and Converſation: And ſurely ſuch a deſign Thou canſt not but approve; ſuch a Doctrine Thou muſt needs grant is faithful, ſound, and conſequently worthy of all Acceptation.
O Conſcience, I am pleading for God! that He who is ſo Great and Good may be obeyed, and that the Sons of Men would ſubmit their Wills to His: And this is a thing but very equal, ſince their Wills are corrupt and fooliſh, and ſtrongly inclin'd unto what is miſchievous to themſelves; but His is wiſe and gracious, and never commands any thing but what is really for the Profit of him that is to yield Obedience.
I am likewiſe, O Conſcience, pleading for Thee, that Thou mayſt be allowed the free Exerciſe of thy Authority and Power; and mayeſt be hearkened to whenever thou doſt declaim againſt Sin, and urge unto thoſe Duties which the Lord requires. The deſign of this Book is, that Thou mayſt be more fully enlightned; that thou mayſt be more pure and peaceable; that thoſe wounds which Sin has made in thee may be healed; and that wounds which are ſo intolerable may for the future be prevented; and above all that thou mayſt not be forced to torture Thy ſelf and any Reader for ever in another World.
O Conſcience, next unto the Spirits gracious and powerfull Concurrence, (which with my whole Soul I do implore) the Succeſs of this Treatiſe will very much depend upon Thy Faithfulneſs in doing of thy Office. Bid the Reader mind what he reads, apply to himſelf what he minds, practice what he applyes; and having begun to practiſe, never grow weary of well-doing. Tell him, 'tis not enough to profeſs Religion, nor to (c)Nos qui non habitu ſapientiam ſed mente praeferimus, non magna eloquimur ſed vivimus. Minut. Foel. pag. mihi 94.talk at a great rate, nor to be highly eſteemed among men (d)Quid mihi prodeſt ſi me continuis laudibus totus mundus attollat? Non malam Conſcientiam ſanat praeconium laudantis; nec bonam vulner at conviciantis opprobrium. Auguſtin. To. 7. l. 3. contra Lit. Petilian. Donatiſt. pag. mihi 168.for Godlineſs, as long as God and Thou do know that his Heart is not upright and ſincere.
Now that the Readers Conſcience may be better, his Heart better, his Converſation better, and more to the Honour of God, and Credit of Chriſtianity, and that it may be beſt of all with him at Death and Judgement; is, and ſhall be the Prayer of
Nathanael Vincent.