The Epistle to the Reader.
Christian Reader,
Holiness is a glorious thing, it is the curious refining of the soul: take away holiness from an angel and he is a devil. True piety sheds an excellency upon a person, as the sun imparts a luster to the stars. The righteous man has God's name written upon him (Revelation 3:12) and partakes of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Which is not by a transubstantiation into the Divine Essence, but by a transformation into the Divine Likeness.
This ensuing discourse is intended as a Plea for the Righteous: I would wipe off that obloquy and disrepute which is unjustly cast upon the saints in this God dishonoring age: In false religions, strictness is admired; a devout Mahometan, or Papist, are had in veneration; but in the true religion he who is most zealous is most hated: As if the name of Protestantism were an honor, but the practice of it a disgrace. The most serious holy men are misrepresented to the world as indiscreet and factious. The prophet Elijah was counted the troubler of Israel (1 Kings 18:17). And Luther the trumpet of rebellion. The old serpent spits his virulent poison at the godly through the mouths of the profane. But there is a time coming when the Lord will reckon with men for their hard speeches (Jude 15). What is the chaff to the wheat? How ignoble and contemptible are the wicked compared to the godly! The difference will more fully appear at the last day (Malachi 3:18). Then shall you return and discern between the righteous and the wicked. Such as calumniate the saints, would be glad to die their death (Numbers 23:10). Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.
The philosopher asking one, which of these two he had rather be, either rich Croesus, or virtuous Socrates? He answered that in his life he would be Croesus, but at his death Socrates. In like manner there are many would live with the wicked, but die with the righteous; but they shall not have their wish: They were offended at the sight and company of God's holy ones, and they shall be as far parted from them, as Heaven and Hell are asunder. Oh you saints of the most High, be not troubled at the groundless aspersions of the wicked; they who are your censurers shall not be your judges. Lift up your crests, be cheerful to think what Christ has wrought for you by his blood, and wrought in you by his Spirit. He has dignified you above the rest of the world, The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor. I shall not further expatiate; but humbly imploring the blessing of the Almighty upon these few lines, I rest,
March 27, 1672. Yours in all Christian service, Thomas Watson.
