The Epistle to the Reader
CHRISTIAN READER:
There are two things, which I have always looked upon as difficult: The one is, to make the Wicked sad; they want not cause of sadness, they are taken captive by Satan. This is all that is gotten by fighting on the Devil's side; he does not make his Soldiers Captains, but Captives, he leads them Prisoners before him, and at last will give them damnable pay. Yet so are sinners blinded by the God of this world, that they cannot see the chains they are held in, but kiss their fetters, and go laughing to Hell. The other puzzling difficulty, is, to make the Godly joyful: Though they have enough to rock their troubled hearts quiet, and may encourage themselves in the Lord their God; yet like the froward child, they put away the breast, and refuse to be comforted. Amnon, though a King's Son, was lean. This dejection in the Godly, arises from a double Spring; either because their inward comforts are darkened, or their outward comforts are disturbed. To cure both which troubles, I have put forth this ensuing Piece, hoping by the blessing of God, it will buoy up their desponding hearts, and make them look with a more pleasant aspect; I would prescribe them to take now and then a little of this Cordial. When the Prophet Elijah's spirits were ready to faint under the Juniper Tree, the Angel set before him a Cake, and a Cruse of Water, and when he had eaten he was cheered, and went in the strength of that meat, till he came unto Horeb the Mount of God. Methinks this Text, like that sweet repast, may very much corroborate and strengthen the Saints in their journey to Heaven, and may be as a sacred feather, to drop the golden Oil of consolation into their hearts: All things shall work together for good, to them that love God. To know that nothing shall hurt the godly, is matter of comfort; but to be assured that all things which fall out, shall cooperate for their good, that their crosses shall be turned into blessings, the bloody showers of affliction shall water the withering root of their Grace, and make it flourish more; here is that may fill their hearts with joy till they run over. It will be no small revival to me, if these Labours of mine prove advantageous to any. When Saint Paul's Prison would not admit him the liberty of a Pulpit, he wrote some Epistles, the benefit whereof the Church of God has reaped in after-ages. When I am at present taken off from my public employment of preaching, I shall be glad if I may be useful by writing; and while I myself am in a civil sense dead I may make others in a spiritual sense alive. This is the Prayer of him, who is
Your Friend, in all true Affection and Devotion. THOMAS WATSON.
