Gospel Liberty, To the reader
To the Chriſtian Reader;
READER,
THe nature of man is prone to be inquiſitive after newes, eſpecially in theſe unſetled, diſtracted times amongſt us, it is a great part of the imploiment of people and takes up much of their time, as if London, were Athens, and the people thereof Athenians, Act. 17.21.(who ſpent their time in nothing elſe: but either to tell, or to heare ſome newes.) And yet the news wee beare is ſometimes bad, ſometimes uncertain, and many times falſe. Divert thy thoughts awhile from earthly things, and in this enſuing Treatiſe thou ſhalt heare, what newes from heaven in the Goſpel. The Law indeed brings us tidings: but it is like the meſſage of Ehud, to Eglon, it brings a dagger with it that ſtabs mortally:Judge 3.21. but the ridings of the Goſpel is like that meſſage of the young Prophet to Jehu, 2. King. 9.6to make him a King.
There is nothing truly terrible, but the Goſpel brings tidings of our freedome from it, (if we be believers) nor nothing truly amiable, but it tells us of our intereſt in it. How welcome to a poore captive is newes of deliverance from ſlaverie? The Goſpel brings us tidings of our deliverance from ſin, Satan, death, hell, from wrath, and damnation, it tells us of riches, and glory, and Kingdomes, and Crownes, and whatſoever may ſatisfie the capacious ſoule of man.
God hath appointed different conditions for men, and Angels, the Angels that ſtood they are ſo confirmed that they cannot fall; the Angels that fell they are determined under eternall wrath that they cannot riſe, but God from everlaſting in his love, and mercy had appointed that fallen man ſhould have a way of recovery, as a board after ſhipwracke, whereby he might come ſafe to the ſhore. And God in time was pleaſed to come out of his hidden eternity, and to diſcover this love of his to the world, and hath ſent his Son to puhchaſe it, and his Spirit to apply it, and his ſervants to tell (not this, or that perticuler man) but all Nations, Mat 28.19 Luk. 2.10 Joh. 3.16.that whoſoever believeth in Jeſus Chriſt ſhall have everlaſting life this bleſſed tidings is brought by the Goſpel.
And let none ſay this newes is to good to be true, for God who is truth it ſelfe (as it were on purpoſe) to anticipate the infidelity of man, hath ſaid it, and ſworne it, and ſealed it with the blood of his deare Son, that we might have ſtrong conſolation; Heb. 6.8.and hath made this fabrick of the world to be as a ſtage to act the redemption of his people on, which being finiſhed, it ſhall be no more.
It ſhould ſtir us up to love, and bleſſe the Father, and his Son Jeſus Chriſt, and the holy Spirit; and to imbrace the Meſſengers that bring thoſe glad tidings, to account their very feet beautifull, the meaneſt part of the body, and upon the moutaines,Iſa. 52.7. the barren places of the earth. And I doubt not but many poore ſoules can from experience bleſſe God for the worthy Authour in thoſe barren mountaines, where he converſeth, and elſe where, and ſay of him as David of Ahimaaz, he is a good man, and bringeth good tidings. 2 Sam 18.27.Though others being hardened ſpit at ſuch lights, and labour to extinguiſh, who God in juſt judgment will cauſe to ſtumble, and fall, and lie downe in eternall darkneſſe. But I ſhall detaine thee no longer from the the work; but commend it, and thee in Gods bleſsing, and reſt.
Thine in the Goſpel of Chriſt.