To the Reader

This worthy Man, especially in his latter times, was surrounded (through God's blessing on him) with a very great confluence of what might give forth Contentment to a vast spirit of his rank and calling. He was enriched with a large measure of abilities and opportunities in serving his Lord (to glorify whom, and do much good to others, is the divine part of a man gracious (which he was) the highest and most solid satisfaction, and in many respects exceeds what personal communion with God, singly considered, brings in). Besides, he lived and died in a fullness of honor and esteem with the best of men, of Saints; yea, the worst of enemies: Likewise of estate, and outward comforts within his sphere and rank; all which might and did afford Contentment to what was outward in him. In the midst of these his study was to find out a more sublime way, and hidden art of self-sufficiency, than was in the power of all things to contribute or teach: Such a skill as did not only poise and compose his spirit in the present enjoyment of all; but might fortify and furnish him with provision for the future against the loss of all, in times wherein no man knows what evil will be in the earth. This mark his first lines show he shot at: This Art some Philosophers of old pretended themselves Masters of, and to instruct others in, through the assistance of Natural and Moral elements, elevated to the utmost height their Principles could carry them; but in vain: Their Chemistry in this kind being able to produce no more but a sullen obstinacy and obdurateness of mind. The natural Spirit of a man feeling itself greater than all creatures, gathering up and consolidating itself into itself, is able (as Solomon says) to sustain its own, and all other infirmities. But that Autarchy this Author here presents, is a Mystery, which none of these Princes of the world knew, or the wisdom of man teaches, but the Holy Ghost teaches; and which few, but those that are perfect, do attain: Teaching the soul to deny itself into weakness, emptiness, in and to itself and all things else; and thus dissolved to unite itself to him who only has blessedness and all-sufficiency, with whom associated and made intimate, it melts itself into all his interests, making them its own, and thereby comes to have all that All-sufficiency of the High God to be its self-sufficiency. And then, what state can that soul be in, wherein it may not be content? seeing it has God to be the chiefest comfort in its best times, and only comfort in its worst. This, though it be the inheritance of every Saint, in the right and title to it, yet the possession and enjoyment of it, depends upon an improvement of this inheritance, and that upon a skill which is to be learned by experience and much exercise (as Paul speaks) I have learned in whatever estate I am, therewith to be content. This piece of learning this serious spirited man inured himself unto, and digging for it as Rubies, as Solomon's scholar for wisdom, has found it, and has hewn forth this Jewel (a Title given neither by himself, nor us the Publishers, to the subject itself, yet the materials themselves deserving it) out of the Rock, and has artificially cut it, that the innate rays of this so glorious a Grace might shine forth to others. And here it comes to be presented, though set forth as the richest Jewels are, often for awhile, in ruder metal, until bargained for, but then are placed in Tablets worthy of them. The only seat this is ordained for; is the precious Tablets of men's Hearts, in and from which alone the native lustre of it will be made conspicuous. Reader, buy it, set and wear it there, and it shall (as Solomon speaks) be life unto your soul, and grace unto your neck: You shall not be afraid when you lie down; yea your sleep shall be sweet to you: for the Lord will be your confidence.

Thomas Goodwin, Sidrach Simpson, William Greenhill, Philip Nye, William Bridge, John Yates. William Adderley.

This worthy man, especially in his later years, was surrounded — through God's blessing — with a great abundance of everything that could bring contentment to a spirit as vast as his rank and calling required. He was richly gifted with great abilities and many opportunities to serve his Lord — and to glorify God and do good to others is the noblest part of a gracious person (which he was), bringing the highest and most lasting satisfaction, surpassing in many ways even what personal communion with God alone provides. Beyond this, he lived and died with the full honor and esteem of the best of men, of saints — and even of his worst enemies. He also enjoyed material provision and outward comforts fitting his rank and sphere, all of which contributed to his contentment in external things. Yet in the midst of all this, his great pursuit was a more elevated way — a hidden art of self-sufficiency — that lay beyond the power of any outward blessing to supply or teach. This was a skill that not only balanced and settled his spirit in the present enjoyment of all things, but also prepared and armed him for the future, against the possible loss of everything, in times when no one knows what evil will come upon the earth. His opening lines make clear that this was his aim. Some ancient philosophers claimed mastery of this art and offered to teach it to others, relying on natural and moral principles elevated to their highest possible level — but they failed. Their efforts in this area produced nothing more than a sullen stubbornness and hardening of the mind. The natural spirit of a person, feeling itself greater than all created things, drawing itself together and consolidating within itself, is able — as Solomon says — to sustain its own infirmities and those of others. But the self-sufficiency this author presents here is a mystery that none of the great minds of this world knew, and that human wisdom cannot teach — only the Holy Spirit teaches it. Few but those who are mature attain it. It teaches the soul to deny itself into weakness and emptiness — in relation to itself and everything else — and, being thus emptied, to unite itself to Him who alone possesses blessedness and all-sufficiency. Associated with Him and made intimate with Him, the soul pours itself into all His interests, making them its own, and so comes to have the full all-sufficiency of the Most High God as its own self-sufficiency. In what condition, then, can that soul fail to be content? For it has God as its greatest comfort in its best times, and its only comfort in its worst. This contentment is the inheritance of every saint by right and title, yet the actual possession and enjoyment of it depends on how fully one enters into that inheritance — and that depends on a skill that must be learned through experience and much practice, as Paul says: 'I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content' (Philippians 4:11). This earnest man devoted himself to learning this skill, and — digging for it as one digs for rubies, as Solomon's student digs for wisdom — he found it. He has shaped this jewel — a title given neither by himself nor by us the publishers, but deserved by the material itself — out of the rock, and has cut it skillfully so that the inner light of this glorious grace might shine forth to others. It is now presented to the reader, though set forth as the finest jewels often are — for a time in plainer metal, until a buyer is found, after which they are placed in settings worthy of them. The only setting this jewel is made for is the precious hearts of men and women, in and from which alone its true brilliance will be revealed. Reader, buy it, set it, and wear it there — and it shall, as Solomon says, be life to your soul and grace to your neck. You shall not be afraid when you lie down; your sleep shall be sweet, for the Lord will be your confidence.

Thomas Goodwin, Sidrach Simpson, William Greenhill, Philip Nye, William Bridge, John Yates. William Adderley.