Balaams Wish, Title page – To the reader
BALAAM'S WISH: A SERMON.
Wherein the vanity of deſires without endeavours, in order to the obtaining the Death of the Upright, and their laſt end, is opened and applyed.
Firſt occaſionally Preached, and now at the requeſt of ſome Publiſhed.
By an unworthy Meſſenger of Chriſt.
Pſal. 37.37. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.
LONDON, Printed by T. Leach for John Sims, and are to be ſold at his Shop near Greſham-Colledge-gate in Biſhops-gate-ſtreet, and at his Shop at Swithins-Alley-end in Cornhill, near the Royal-Exchange. 1670.
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND ELECT LADIES
The Lady Anne Clinton,
The Lady Eleanora Holles. AND
The Lady Diana Holles.
The Author wiſheth Grace and Peace.
Right Honourable,
IT is the Nature of the Bleſſed God, not only to give great things bountifully, but alſo to accept of ſmall things graciouſly: though he looks for the Gift, yet he looks at the Heart: hence we read in the Law, that the handfull of Meal which the Poor man brought for an Oblation to God, was as gratefull to God as the whole Burnt-offering of the Rich: and in the firſt of Leviticus, the Reach Nichoach, or ſweet ſavour of reſt, is added not only to the Rich mans Oxe, but to the Poor mans Turtle Doves; to ſhew that it is not ſo much how much, as from what mind a Sacrifice is brought to Gods Altar.
Your Ladyſhips have already in your Nobleneſs and Liberality to me, ſhewed your ſelves to be partakers of the Divine Nature, and in accepting this poor Pepper-corn preſent will give a further teſtimony of your Likeneſs to his Eternal Majesty: for your acceptation will evidence more the goodneſs of your Ladyſhips, than the deſert of this Diſcourſe. Such as it is, I am humbly bold to offer it to you, taking this publick opportunity to declare my thankfulneſs ſo far as I am able, though not ſo far as I ought. I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jeſus Christ, begging for you the mercies of his Covenant and Kingdom: The great God lift up the light of his reconciled face upon you, granting you aſſurance of his Love, and perſeverance in his Truth in this World, and a Crown of Glory in a better Life. No more but my earnest request that I may obtain the favour and honour to be
Your Ladyſhips Humbleſt Servant, &c.
TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.
Chriſtian Reader,
THou haſt here the Copy of a Sermon which was firſt taken from the Preacher's mouth by the Pen of a ready Writer: the Perſon who was at the pains of Tranſcribing of it, by his earneſt deſire hath prevailed with the Author to Review it, and to give him leave to Publiſh it. Here is nothing added to the Diſcourſe it ſelf, only ſome things in the Margin, to which ſome paſſages in the Sermon have relation. The Author declares he lo…es not to be in Print, and that theſe few leaves had never been ſuffered to come abroad, had not more then ordinary Obligations to comply with the requeſts of ſome, been laid upon him.
The Godly will not condemn the Work, becauſe the ſubject is ſo ſerious and profitable; for what can be of greater moment or benefit, than to teach men the Leſſon of an holy upright life, as that which paves the way to an happy and comfortable death? or to deſcribe the bleſſed advantagious death of the righteous, as that which encourages to the gracious and heavenly life of the Godly.
The Wicked will not blame it much, becauſe it is ſo very ſhort; let him that is moſt diſpleaſed with it, turn over but a few Pages, and he will certainly find ſomething that pleaſeth him, viz. the END.
The Author hath endeavoured to offend no man by this Tractate: for its his deſign ſo to ſpeak, write, and live, as firſt to pleaſe God as much as he can, and then to diſpleaſe man as little as he can.
If thou reapeſt any benefit by what is here ſet before thee, give God the praiſe; for who ſhould have the Tribute of all Glory, but he that beſtows the Treaſure of all Grace? who ſhould have the Fruit, but he that planted the Tree? Magnifie God for any good this Sermon ſhall do thee: for every good gift, and every perfect gift, comes from above, from the Father of Lights.
Farewell.