Courteous Reader.
To discourse largely of the necessity and use of this piece of spiritual armor, after so many learned and useful treatises upon this subject, may seem superfluous, especially considering that there is much spoken to this purpose, for your satisfaction, in the following treatise; wherein, besides the unfolding of the nature of this duty (which is the saints' daily exercise) and strong enforcement to it, there is an endeavor to give satisfaction in the most common cases, want of clearing whereof is usually a hindrance to the cheerful and ready performance thereof. In all which, what has been done by this reverend and worthy man, we had rather should appear in the treatise itself, to your impartial judgment, than to be much in setting down our own opinion. This we doubt not of, that, by reason of the spiritual and convincing manner of handling this argument, it will win acceptance with many, especially considering that it is of that nature, wherein, though much has been spoken, yet much more may be said with good relish to those that have any spiritual sense: for it is the most spiritual action, wherein we have nearer communion with God than in any other holy performance, and whereby it pleases God to convey all good to us, to the performance whereof Christians find most backwardness and indisposedness, and from there most dejection of spirit; which also in these times is most necessary, wherein, unless we fetch help from heaven this way, we see the church and cause of God like to be trampled under feet. Only remember that we let these sermons pass forth as they were delivered by himself in public, without taking that liberty of adding or detracting, which, perhaps, some would have thought fitting: for we thought it best that his own meaning should be expressed in his own words and manner, especially considering there is little which perhaps may seem superfluous to some, but may, by God's blessing, be useful to others. It would be a good prevention of many inconveniences in this kind, if able men would be persuaded to publish their own works in their lifetime, yet we think it a good service to the church, when that defect is supplied by giving some life to those things which otherwise would have died of themselves. The blessing of these labors of his we commend to God, and the benefit of them to you, resting.
Yours in our Lord Jesus Christ, Richard Siees. John Davenport.
