To the Christian Reader
TO THE Christian READER.
The precious memory of the Author of these ensuing SERMONS needs no reviving to any gracious heart that had any knowledge of him. Yes, the world knows in part (though but in a little part) by some pieces of his formerly printed (while he was yet [illegible]) who this Author was, what it owes to God for him, and how justly it might sigh over his grave, with that of the Apostle, Of whom the World was not worthy! His praise throughout all the Churches is far above any addition by so mean a pen as writes these lines. But it is not fit that the first page of any thing published after his death (for I doubt not but his death is long ago publicly took notice of) should go without some witness of a mournful remembrance thereof, which indeed no tears can sufficiently lament. We who sometimes sat under his shadow, and were fed from God by him, (the poor flock of this Shepherd) among whom he lived, testifying repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ; and whom he sometimes exhorted, comforted and charged every one of us as a Father does his Children; we cannot but carry sorrow in the bottom of our hearts to this day, that we must here see his face no more. Neither do we believe that his loss remains with us alone, or only within the limits of this remote wilderness; the benefit (and consequently the want) of such a burning and shining light is of more general concernment than we easily apprehend, especially in this age, wherein not only many sit in utter darkness, but which is more, the new light thereof is darkness; and the love of many waxing cold. But we must all be silent before Him, whose judgements are unsearchable. Neither may we presume to say to him, What do you?
It is instantly and not without cause desired by many, that such relics of his labors as do survive him, may be (at least some of them) imparted to the public. To effect any thing considerable that way, is not an easy or sudden work. But this small piece being at present attained, it seemed not amiss to let it pass the Press. These were some of his Lecture-Sermons, preached most of them in the year 1641. They are now transcribed by a godly Brother, partly from the Author's own notes, partly from what he took from his mouth: the subject (in both the Texts) is of great use, and needful for these times; wherein there is more liberty than good use of it; and much more common and outward, than saving and effectual knowledge of the word of God. These posthumous editions are far short of what the Author was wont to do, and of what the Sermons were in preaching. But though the sense be not every where so full, nor every thing so thoroughly spoken to, nor the style so good by far, (as the Author's manner was) yet the intelligent Reader will find a precious treasure of truth in it, not fit to be buried or neglected. The Prophets do not live for ever, but their words do: the Lord make them such ever-living words as may take hold of all our hearts, not for judgement, but for mercy, for one of these ways they shall live; yes, rise up at the last day.
