To the Christian Reader

Christian Reader,

Innumerable are the sleights of Satan, to hinder a Christian in his course towards Heaven, by exciting the corruption of his own heart to disturbe him, when he is about to doe any good; or by discouraging him with inward terrors, when he would solace himself with heavenly comforts; or by disheartening him under the fears of sufferings, when he should be resolute in a good cause. A type of which were the Israelites, whose servitude was redoubled, when they turned themselves to forsake Aegypt: Therefore we have much neede of Christian fortitude, according to that direction; Watch you, stand fast, quit your selves like men: especially since Satan, like a Serpentine Crocodile pursued, is by resistance put to flight.

But, as in warres, (which the Philistines knew well in putting their hope in Goliah) the chief strength of the Souldiers lyeth in their Captaine, so in spirituall conflicts, all a Christians strength is in Christ, and from him. For, before our conversion, we were of no strength: since our conversion, we are not sufficient of our selves to think a good thought. And, to worke out from the Saints all selfe-confidence, God, by their falls teaches them, To rejoyce in the Lord Jesus, and to have no confidence in the flesh.

Whatever Christ has for us is made ours by Faith, which is the hand of the soul enriching it by receiving Christ, who is the treasure hid in the field, and with him, those unsearchable riches of grace, which are revealed and offered in the Gospel: Indeed it is part of our spirituall armour. That which was fabulously spoken of the race of Gyants, is truly said of a Christian, he is borne with his armour upon him; as soone as he is regenerate he is armed. Its called a Breast-plate, because it preserves the heart, a long, large shield, (as the word signifies) which is usefull to defend the whole man from all sorts of assaults: Which part of spirituall armor, and how it is to be managed, is declared in the former part of the ensuing Treatise, in ten Sermons.

Now, as all rivers returne into the sea, from where they came, so the beleeving soul, having received all from Christ, returns all to Christ. For thus the beleever reasoneth. Was Gods undeserved, unexpected love such to me, that he spared not his onely begotten Sonne, but gave him to die for me? Its but equal that I should live to him, die for him, bring in my strength, time, gifts, liberty, all that I have, all that I am, in his service, to his glory. That affection, from where these resolutions arise, is called Love, which so inclines the soul, that it moves in a direct line towards that obiect, in which it expecteth contentment. The soul is miserably deluded in pursuing the wind, and in taking aim at a flying fowle, while it seekes happinesse in any creature: which appeares in the restlesnesse of those irregular agitations, and endlesse motions of the mindes of ambitious, voluptuous and covetous persons, whose frame of spirit is like the lower part of the elementary region, the seate of winds, tempests and earthquakes, full of unquietnesse; while the beleevers soul, like that part towards heaven, which is alwayes peaceable and still, enjoys true rest and joy. And indeed the perfection of our spirits cannot be but in union with the chief of spirits, which communicates his goodness to the creature according to its capacity. This affection of Love, as it reflecteth upon Christ, being a fruit and effect of his love to us apprehended by faith, is the subject of the second part of the following Treatise in 7. Sermons.

The judicious Authour out of a piercing insight into the methods of the Tempter, knowing upon what rocks the faith of many suffers shipwreck; that neither the weak Christian might lose the comfort of his faith, through want of evidences, nor the presumptuous rest upon a fancy in stead of faith, nor the adversaries be emboldened to cast upon us, by reason of this doctrine of Justification by faith onely, their wonted nicknames of Soli-fidians, and Nulli-fidians; throughout the whole Treatise, and more especially in the last Sermon, he discourseth of good Workes, as they arise from faith and love. This is the sum of the faithful and fruitfull labours of this Reverend, learned and godly Minister of the Gospel, who while he lived was an example of the life of faith and love, and of good workes, to so many as were acquainted with his equal and even walking in the wayes of God, in the severall turnings and occasions of his life. But it will be too much injury to the godly Reader to be detained longer in the porch. We now dismiss you to the reading of this profitable worke, beseeching God to increase faith, and to perfect love in your heart, that you maist be fruitfull in good workes.

your in our Lord Jesus Christ, RICHARD SIBS. IOHN DAVENPORT.