God a Christians Choice, To the reader 1
To the Courteous Reader, eſpecially the Hearers of the things here preſented to the publick.
Chriſtian and courteous Reader,
THe Expoſing of theſe things to the publick view, was thus occaſioned: Had not the ſubjoined Propoſitions been (though at the firſt written for the uſe and ſatisfacton of a private friend) deſired by many, Miniſters ſome, at well as others, to be made publick; I had not been prevailed with, to put theſe ſhort notes before the eyes of the World: but being approved by the Judgment of the Reverend Author of Vindiciae Pietatis, and another Ancient and able Divine, whoſe joint ſuffrage I looked on as a ſufficient encouragement to it; and indeed without the Conſent of Mr. R. A. I ſhould never have yielded to it, looking upon it as a thing too ſancy, and pragmatical without him, to adventure ſo to do, the thing vindicated being firſt expoſed and propoſed in his forenamed Book. And ſith I heard, that that way of tranſacting with God was queſtioned by ſome others, both before, and ſince they were expoſed to his judicious Conſideration; Some looking on it as a new kind of Covenant between God and his people, whereas it is but the ſame Covenant, more particularly applyed and laid hold on; I thought it meet, as I was encouraged to propoſe what meditations I had digeſted for the ſatisfaction of their judgments, and preventing thoſe miſapprehenſions they had about it. Some other things I had in my thoughts to prefix: but by a providence (ſomething more than ordinary) was more preſt in my Spirit, to fix my thoughts on this Scripture here inſiſted on: which when I obſerved ſo ſuitable thereto, I could no longer forbear but ſet my moſt ſerious meditations on work to comply at once both with the Providence, and with the requeſt of my many friends, requeſting its Communication. The tranſcribing of which, though ſhort, yet would have proved tedious to the many that requeſted it, and I hope may bring ſome profit, and ſatisfaction to ſome into whoſe hands they may come; that never deſired, nor thought of any ſuch thing: The only thing I have cauſe to be aſhamed of, is, the narrowneſs of my own heart, in handling a matter of ſo excellent, and important a concern. I have deſired to ſpeak pertinently, and briefly, and not to enlarge by digreſſion, but what may prove moſt ſuitable to my main deſign. In Sermons, that are preach…, where there is only hearing for the time of Speaking, there need to be inculcating things again and again, as others of my Brethren know as well as I: affection's Dull, memorie's treacherous, and after-meditation too too much neglected. So that repetitions, and rehearſal, if they be not vain repetitions, and affected, prove beneficial very much to the hearers, from whom (their underſtandings being alſo ſhallow, for the generality of moſt auditors,) the heads, and material paſſages once named only, the moſt part of them paſs away, (if the affections be for preſent a little ſtirred) without that due ſavour and abiding efficacy, that by preſſing again and again they might have. Now this is needleſs in Printed Books, where reviewing makes up the ſupply of that if there be any additions or alterations, as ſome few there are, which may be obſerved by the Reader that heard theſe things; I hope they will not be unacceptable, or unprofitable. Accept of this ſmall undertaking as the good will of the Author, and read not in tranſitu, or by rote, but with deliberation and meditation (for I am Confident, that the benefit we might reap by many a good book, is loſt for lack of this) that the ſweetneſs of this work (for 'tis both precious and ſweet, and I bleſs God for the experience of it) may be at laſt diffuſed wholly into thy Soul: and then the deſign is accompliſhed, for which the publication was intended, and that this may be the iſſue, ſhall be the prayer of
Thine in the work of the Goſpel S. W.