To the Reader.
It is, as the practice, so the duty of every scribe which is instructed to the Kingdom of God, to bring forth things both new and old. The law must be preached, inasmuch as thereby is the knowledge of sin, without which men will never be duly sensible of their need of Christ. But it is the Gospel (and not the law) which is the word of faith. Sinners will never come to Christ except they be persuaded of his ability and willingness to save. This the Gospel does make known, as also that the gracious God is ready for his Son's sake, to pardon all those that truly repent, though their sins are as scarlet, though they be red like crimson. The Holy Spirit does sometimes bless encouraging, sometimes awakening considerations for saving good to the souls of the elect of God. Nothing has a greater tendency to awaken to repentance than serious thoughts about the great day of judgment, and the infinite danger which is in men's delaying their conversion. A late writer says that he had inquired of some whose ministry had been eminently blessed as to converting work; and they assured him, that they found greater success in preaching about the danger of deferring repentance, than in their discourses on any other subjects. What can be more desirable than that such as are indeed brought home to Christ, should be abundantly fruitful in good works, and grow into greater intimacies of communion with God? Such considerations as these have induced me first to preach, and now to consent to the publication of the sermons emitted herewith.
There are thousands in the world better than I am, whose opportunities for service are taken from them: if a great door and effectual is as yet opened to me, all that know my circumstances will say I ought to thank God, and not the world. I must and do (not altogether without shame and sorrow for my want of wisdom to improve them) acknowledge that the Lord Jesus has entrusted me for many years with rich opportunities more ways than one; but how soon they may be all gone I know not. That Satan and his instruments have been designing to deprive me of them, is manifest from that foolish and treasonable letter pretended to be written at Boston in N. E. 3d. of 10th. M. 1683. whereunto my name is most injuriously affixed: which letter was published in Barbadoes, and part of it printed by Le Strange in his Observators Novemb. 26, 27. and Decemb. 1. 1684. as if it had been really mine, whereas I never wrote so much as one line of it, nor had any more hand in the composure of it than the Observator himself had. I find in the History of Shamplots, pag. 16 that some of far greater worth than I am have suffered the like abuses. Doctor Owen, Mr. Baxter, Doctor Conant and others had treasonable letters imposed on them by wicked men. Who am I, that I should not bear such wrongs with patience? Hitherto I have not published anything for my vindication, and it was in my thoughts never to have done it, but to have left all to the discoveries of the great day, in the mean time being mindful of the old saying, Magnum Contumeliae remedium Negligentia. But having been informed that some have made an ill use of my silence, I thought it my duty to take this occasion to notify to the world what I have now declared.
I cannot but see myself concerned to redeem the time, and in all ways wherein I am capable, to be doing for Christ, while it is day.
INCREASE MATHER. Boston, in N. E. Feb. 24. 1685/6.
