Heavenly Merchandise, Title page – To the reader
HEAVENLY Merchandize OR The Purchasing of TRUTH Recommended and the Selling of it Disswaded; As it was Delivered in Several SERMONS Upon Prov. 23. 23.
By SAMUEL WILLARD, Teacher of a Church in Boston.
Joh. 17. 3.
This is life eternal, that they might KNOW Thee the only TRUE God, and Jesus Christ who thou hast sent.
Boston, in New-England; Printed by Samuel Green and are to be Sold by Joseph Brunning, at his Shop, at the Corner of the Prison Lane next the Town House. Anno. 1686.
TO THE Reader:
Courteous Reader;
IT is needless to Apologize for the seasonableness of emitting a Discourse of this nature, which can indeed never be out of season. Where Truth is not embraced, Goodness cannot be practised, for without knowledg the mind of man cannot be good. Where Truth doth not lead, felicity can never be obtained, for it is that which must lead us to God's Holy Hill. The putting out of this Light makes a more dismal night than the taking away the Sun from the Firmament. They that sit in this darkness dwell in the Region of the shadow of death. And yet, how wofully contented are the greatest part of man-kind without it? how little solicitous to buy, how very forward to sell it? how much need therefore have they of being industriously laboured with to do themselves this kindness? As for my self, I have nothing else to plead for my adventuring to give light to these unpolished lines, but only that vulgar excuse of importunity, possibly too easily complied with; some charitable Friends hoping it might be of publick usefulness, whose judgment I (preferring it before mine own) complied with; and if it may but obtain the supposed efficacy, I shall have cause to rejoyce. How much of advantage God hath afforded to this place, (where once, and not long since, the father of lies had a throne, and no beams of Christian Religion were to be seen) to make large acquests of this nature (the Gospel having had its free course among us for so many Years) is well known. What welcome hath been given to this mercy, and what improvement hath been made of this price; he that searcheth all hearts can tell. If our negligence should provoke God to shut up the Market, New-England's Glory is gone: If we sin away, and God take away the Truth, we are undone. The Lord hath more wayes than one threatned us.
Here you have the only way to prevent so fatal a mischief: and the Father of mercies grant that this Solemn Advice may be successful to help (with the more strenuous endeavour of others) to awaken all his People, to know in this their day the things that belong unto their peace, that so the God of PEACE and TRUTH may still delight to dwell with us.
So Prayes, Thine, &c. S. W.