The Good Old Way, Title page – To the reader 1
The good Old way: OR, PERKINS IMPROVED, In a PLAIN EXPOSITION And SOUND APPLICATION OF Thoſe Depths of Divinity briefly comprized In his SIX PRINCIPLES: BY That late painful and faithful Miniſter of the Goſpel, CHARLES BROXOLME In Darby-ſhire.
Jer. 6.16. Ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye ſhall find reſt for your ſouls.
LONDON, Printed for John Rothwel and Thomas Maney, and ſold at the Bear and Fountain in Cheap-ſide, and near Baynards-Caſtle in Thames-ſtreet. 1653.
TO The Right Honourable, The LADY KATHERINE BROOK, Dowager to the Right Honourable Robert Lord Brook, Baron of BERCHAMPS Court.
Right Honourable,
THis Expoſition of famous Mr. Perkins's Catechiſm, was the work of Maſter Charles Broxolm; a good man, who was well known to your noble Lord; whoſe great favours conferred upon him, hath engag'd me upon the account of his wiſdom (my dear Aunt) to dedicate it unto your Ladyſhip.
The Authors Miniſtery was honoured, by the Converſion of many ſouls, both at Gunthwait in Yorkſhire, (where he was Patronized by Mr. Godfery Boſſevile, Brother in law to your worthy Lord) and alſo at Buxton and Belper, and other places in Darby-ſhire, who are his Epiſtle Commendatory, and will be his glory at the day of Chriſt.
Madam, This Book had ſooner been brought into publick view, if the Controverſies of our broken times had not diſcompoſed peoples ſpirits, to give due entertainment unto ſuch uſeful Treatiſes. Many in theſe latter dayes, have wofully diſputed away the life of Religion, and power of Godlineſs; whence it is, that their Spiritual Appetite to ſalubrious Truths, is extremely decayed; and their Sun-ſhine, is like the Winters light, altogether without holy heat. It was an high commendation of the Chriſtian Romans, by Saint Paul, that they were full of goodneſs, and filled with all knowledge, Rom. 15.14. and it is pity that this good couple ſhould ever be divided. As practical Profeſsion moſt glorifieth God, ſo it winneth moſt eſtimation amongſt good Chriſtians. The end of this Treatiſe, is to edifie Gods people in both; therefore if I ſhould dare to keep this piece ſecret, (which the Reverend Authour intended for Publick uſe) I ſhould not onelyonly fruſtrate the intentions of the dead, and deceive his godly friends living, but alſo rob the Church of that which is her right.
Madam, I ſhall not any longer detain your Lady-ſhip from reading this Book, which craveth your acceptance, and promiſeth your ſoul benefit by a ſerious peruſal. That your Lady ſhip may long continue an encourager of godlineſs, and a comfort to the Members of Chriſt, till the time of your everlaſting refreſhing ſhall come, when triumph ſhall be your recompence, glory your reward, Angels your company, and God your glory; ſhall be the humble prayer
(Madam) Of Your Honours humble Servant, CHARLES JACKSON.
To his dearly beloved friends, the godly people of Buxton and Belper, C. J. heartily wiſheth all happineſs, External, Internal, and Eternal.
Chriſtian friends,
MAny of you, have had real impreſſions of love upon your hearts, towards my worthy Uncle, the Reverend Author of this Expoſition: you have fully known his Doctrine, manner of life, purpoſe, faith, Long ſuffering, Charity, Patience, Humility. That which you have heard with the Ear, is now (according to your deſire) repreſented to your Eye.
There is a great diſparity betwixt a lively voyce, and breathleſs lines; the one moveth more, but the other profiteth more; the one ſoon paſſeth away with the ſound of words, but the other abideth, giveth the Reader leave to pauſe and conſider. Good mens works (being Printed) do not onelyonly reach them who are alive, but thoſe alſo who are unborn; and not to them alone who are near, but ſuch likewiſe who are afar off. It was the Authors deſire, that having taught you theſe things, you might after his deceaſe, 2 Pet. 3.15.have them alwaies in remembrance; and therefore this Expoſition according to his order was tranſcribed for the Preſs when he dyed. Now he is taken out of your ſight; but if you yet deſire communion with him, it muſt be, by walking in that track which he hath here chalked out before you, endeavouring to tread the ſteps of his Religious, zealous converſation; who herein (though dead) ſtill ſpeaketh unto you. This birth was conceived and brought forth firſtly for you, therefore though others ſhould deſpiſe it, yet you will (I hope) give it good welcom; becauſe it reviveth the memory of him, who (whilſt he lived) ceaſed not to pray for your happineſs for ever.
Becauſe of mine Education amongſt you, and my near natural relations unto many of you, I am affectionately diſpoſed to deſire your beſt good, and therefore ſhall make bold to premiſe a few things for your direction, that this Book may prove the more profitable. 1. Add Prayer unto your reading, that you may find the power of thoſe Truths warming your hearts. 2. Make practice your end in ſeeking knowledge: for That ſervant that knoweth his Maſters will and doth it not, Luk. 12.47.muſt be beaten with many ſtripes. This was the frequent advice of this Author; and that when others had their Religion onelyonly at their tongues end, yours might appear in your lives. 3. Attend conſtantly upon the Publick Miniſtry of your faithful Paſtors and Teachers. Deut. 12.19.Take heed to thy ſelf, that thou forſake not the Levite ſo long as thou liveſt upon the earth. The firſt ſtep towards Apoſtacy, is the ſlighting and declining of the preaching of the Goſpel. 4. Confer much with Orthodox Chriſtians, who are able to inſtruct you in the paths of pure truth and godlineſs. Matth. 13.36.As Chriſts Diſciples deſired him to explain obſure Parables, Acts 8.30.32.So the Eunuch improved the company of Philip, for the like advantage: Theſe examples doubtleſs are recorded for our imitation. Conſider what I have ſaid, and the Lord give his bleſſing, that this Book may be abundantly beneficial unto you. Now the Father of lights, and God of all grace, fill you with the knowledge of his Will, and with the fruits of Faith, that you may with comfort pray, and wait for the coming of Jeſus Chriſt. I am
From Selſton Aug. 9. 1653. Yours in the ſervice of the Lord, CH. JACKSON.