The Voice of the Spirit, To the reader 1
To the Chriſtian Reader.
THe eternall decree of the great God about the everlaſting ſtate of ſoules in which they ſhall for ever abide (after the number of our Months are determined, and that this body is ſeized upon by the king of torrors) is regiſtred in the bookes of God, and to be opened at the great day; but at the preſent ſo hidden that by all that is before us, as that we cannot eyther know love or hatted, or what will be the ſentence of the Judge of all the world upon a particular ſoule when he comes to ſpeake thoſe irreverſible words, Goe ye Curſed, Come ye Bleſſed.
Yet he that was worthy to open the books, and unto whom the Father hath committed all Judgement, even Jeſus our Lord, be it is that hath ſent for that bleſſed Spirit which curiouſly, and exactly ſurveighs the very bottome Counſells of God, to make report of, and to witneſſe unto ſoules the precious aſſurance of their Adoption, that ſo, ſuch as doe beleive might have conſolation, and hope.
And now a ſearch after the knowledge of the language of that Spirit (and the whiſperings thereof) whereby the ſoule is made acquainted with the ſecret of God, muſt needs be a worke worthy the utmoſt of our care and diligence; and every beame of light tending to that end ſhould be anſwerably eſteemed of by us according to its iſſue, which is ſo great, even of eternall moment. Beſides, multitudes there are bound up in darknes, ſome on the one part laying claime to acquaintance with the Spirits teſtimonies, whoſe walkings yet ſavour ſo ranke of the fleſh, as they declare them ſenſuall, and deluded. Others there are who not onelyonly have taſted the Spirits ſweetneſſe, but by him have been made to drinke into Chriſt, yet through over-elated thoughts, and expectancies of the Spirits witneſſings, (much like the Jewes in their too much raiſed account of ſome pompous, and extraordinary appearing of the Meſſias) regardleſſe of thoſe pretious whiſpers of love which the Spirit in the promiſe hints to the ſoule, makes them ſtill froward, and diſſatisfied with God; as not counting their prayers heard, or their perſons regarded, becauſe not extraordinarily viſited by the Spirit.
The deſigne and aime therefore of the Author in this peice is to promote our underſtanding of the voyce of that Spirit. And according to the Grace given him, to releive, and edifie the weake, and doubting, and undeceive ſuch as are deluded. We are perſwaded hee hath dealt faithfully both with Chriſt and you, in laying aſide all foreign, and endeavouring in the plainneſſe, and demonſtration of that Spirit (which he is heere treating of) to ſpeake home to eyther ſort.
Upon that ſhort view we had of this worke we have added our teſtimony to it, not becauſe wee thinke our names are any way worthy, or can backe the Truth, or that we intended the Authors Commendation therby, we know he needs it not where himſelfe is knowne, and his worke (we truſt) will approove him faithfull with Jeſus Chriſt. Only we aime at bearing teſtimony to the Truth. And (if it may be) the encouragement of ſome poore ſoules further to ponder and conſult what is heere wrott.
Reader, Conſider, and view it over, and ſee if thou canſt finde the booke in thy heart, and thy heart in that. We beleive when thou haſt peruſed it thorough (though thou miſſe ſpangles of Eloquence) yet thou wilt not account thy expence of time as to be thy loſſe. Greive not that Spirit, by ſlighting any peice that may familiarize his voyce, and language to thee. Here are Queſtions of moment, flated, opened; and in ſome meaſure cleered up. If thou meeteſt with thy ſatisfaction, give glory to the God of heaven; if the bleſſing of the Goſpell drop but from one leafe, or line, upon thy Spirit in thy conſulting it, thy paines are recompenced.
Now that the Spirit of the Lord may be redoubled upon the Author, who hath waged in this worke, and that thy profit (who peruſeſt it) may be anſwerable to the deſires and travaile of his ſoule, ſhall be the prayers of us who are meaneſt among the Saints, who yet deſire to approve our ſelves faithfull to Chriſt, his truths, his intereſts and his people; ſo we bid thee farewell. Grace be with thy Spirit. Amen.
SAM. HABERGHAM.
EDVV. BARKER.
1. day. 4. Mo: 1654.