THE WHOLE DUTY OF MAN, LAID DOWN IN A PLAIN AND FAMILIAR WAY, FOR THE USE OF ALL, BUT ESPECIALLY THE MEANEST READER. DIVIDED INTO XVII CHAPTERS: ONE WHEREOF BEING READ EVERY LORD'S DAY, THE WHOLE MAY BE ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, AND WATERLOO PLACE, PALL MALL. A PREFACE TO THE ENSUING TREATISE, SHEWING THE NECESSITY OF CARING FOR THE SOUL. SECT. I. THE only intent of this ensuing TREATISE is, to be a short and plain direction to the very meanest readers, to behave themselves so in this world, that they may be happy for ever in the next. But because 'tis in vain to tell men their duty, till they be persuaded of the necessity of performing it, I shall, before I proceed to the particulars required of every Christian, endeavour to win them to the practice of one general duty preparatory to all the rest; and that is, the consideration and care of their own souls; without which they will never think themselves much concerned in the other. II. Man, we know, is made up of two parts, a body and a soul. The body is only the husk or shell of the soul, a lump of flesh, subject to many diseases and pains while it lives, and at last to death itself; and then 'tis so far from being valued, that 'tis not to be endured above ground, but laid to rot in the earth. Yet upon this viler part of us we bestow a great deal of care; all the labour and toil we are at is to maintain it. But the more precious part, the soul, is little thought of, no care is taken how it fares; but, as if it were a thing that nothing concerned us, is left quite neglected, never considered by us. |