Three Decades of Sermons, To the reader 3
TO THE READER.
I HERE preſent unto thee (Chriſtian Reader) A third Decad of Sermons, of the ſame complexion with the reſt, anſwering thoſe two immediatly preceding, as face in water anſwers face. By them the Author may be knowne to be one and the ſame man, not varying a whit from his Principles, by reaſon of viciſſitude of times. The firſt of theſe Sermons was preacht at the Publick Act, and was formerly printed which (notwithſtanding the deriſion of ſome) through the Incouragement and approbation of others (whoſe Judgment I preferre many degrees before my owne) is now againe preſented to publick View in this ſecond Edition. None of the other ſermons of this Decad, and none of the two other Decads were ever yet printed before: neither had now, if ſome both Godly and Learned (who are better able to judge) had not thought farre better of them, then I ever durſt of any thing of my own notwithſtanding what paines ſoever it coſt me. It's farre from my Intention to juſtify my ſelfe, but I ſhall alwaies with Jacob acknowledge my ſelfe, not worthy of the leaſt of all the mercyes, and of all the Gen. 32. 10.truthc which the Lord through riches of mercy hath ſhewed unto me. It cannot be denyed, but ought to be acknowledged with renewed thankfulneſſe, that now adaies we have more helps on all hands, if we had our eyes in our Heads, and greater advantages then our Predeceſſors ever enjoyed ſince Printing came up: And ſince the Goſpell in it's Purity and Liberty was reſtored unto England (as Reverend Latimer uſed to pray that God would reſtore the Goſpell unto England once againe, once againe) We have variety of Prices both by printing and preaching, put into our hands to get divine wiſdome withall. Oh! that we had this great mercy of mercyes vouchſafed to us, that the Lord would beſtow upon us ſuch good hearts as to Husband, and improove all thoſe ſpirituall Talents for the beſt advantage of our immortall ſoules. That ſaying of a Learned Author hath often come into my deliberate thoughts—Ideo ſcribuntur omnes Libri, ut unus emendetur conſcientiae. Now if by any thing that I have wrote, the of Chriſtians may thrive the better, and be built up in their faith, I have my deſire accompliſht. Not unto me, not to the beſt of my paines and endeavours, but unto the name of Jeſus Chriſt be all the praiſe and glory. It's not my purpoſe to detaine thee (Reader) in a longer Epiſtle. Only thus much I thought good to premiſe, to aſſure thee that this laſt Decad is of the ſame ſtamp, and breaths forth the ſame ſpirit, and purſues the ſame plaine ſtile with thoſe two which according to order went before; The deſigne I only drive at (as farre as I apprehend) is the eternall good of mine and thine immortall ſoule; ſo that our profitting may appeare unto all, that ſome addition may be made unto our ſpirituall ſtature. Be pleaſed therefore to read deliberately, and to joyne prayer and meditation with reading. Lay aſide all prejudicate opinions, and through the meanneſſe of the Inſtrument, look with the eye of faith unto Jeſus Chriſt the great Counſellour, and Prophet, who directs and inſtructs his people, and guides them unto all truth: And what ever good thou receiveſt, give Chriſt the praiſe of all, and ſet the Crowne upon his head alone. And in thy ſerious addreſſeſſe unto the throne of grace, remember him which in love to thy ſoule hath made theſe ſermons publick. Do not deſpiſe the day of ſmall things, undervalue not the Reare of the Chriſtian Army. Do not entertaine a ſlight opinion of any of the meaneſt, (yet faithfull) Labourers in Gods Vine-yard, who deſires and endeavours to approove himſelfe faithfull; ſuch a one I deſire to be, and remaine
Thy ſervant and Brother in Chriſt Jeſus, HENRY WILKINSON.