Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB
[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed]

BOL

[ocr errors][merged small]

WILLIAM, Earl of BEDFORD,

Lord RUSSEL, Baron of Thornebaugh.

Right Honourable,

[graphic]

NCE I made bold to prefix an Epiftle to your Honour, before my Book, intituled Ultima; fince which Time, you have continued with Increase, your wonted Favours: As the Sun that rejoiceth to run his Race, and is unwearied after his many Revolutions, fo, Tear after Year, have you indefatigably exprefs'd your great Bounty, whereby both my felf and Family have been exceedingly refreshed. As I cannot, but, in Way of Thankfulness, acknowledge thus much, so I shall be a fincere Remembrancer, both of your Honour, and your nearest Relations, at the Throne of Grace.

My Lord, I have now compofed this Work, containing a neceffary Practice, and high Priviledge of every Chriftian; it is by Way of Supplement to the other Duties fet down in my Book call'd Media, but because of my large handling it, I referved it for a Tract by it felf. Indeed of all other Duties, I prefer it as the Chief; and I exceedingly wonder, that before this Time, it hath not been undertaken by fome abler Hand. Chriftians ordinarly go to Prayer, Sacraments, Hearing, Reading, and Meditation of the Word; and fometimes (tho more feldem) they fet on the Exercife of other Duties, as Self trial, Self-denial, the Improving of Experiences, the Clearing of Evidences, extemporary and deliberate Meditation, &c. But, in the mean Time, how is the main, the prime Employment, even the Duty of Duties, of Looking unto Jefus, wholly neglected? If many, or most have been ignorant of it hitherto, I think it is bigh Time, to discover it to the fleepy World; and it may be, when Day is clear,

[ocr errors]

they

they will walk in the Light, and bless God for finding out a Way wherein they may more immediately have Commerce with fefus Chrift. I could have wifhed, that others more able had appeared in this Service, in a particular Handling of this excellent Subject: I find it in Print wished for by a Godly Brother, where he complains, That Chrift's Love had been fo little ftudied. Men have been very swift in fearching after other Truths, but flow in fearching after this. An ample exact Discovery of this Love of Chrift, I fay of this Love (in carrying on our Soul's Salvation from firft to laft) may well be fet down amongst the Defiderata, the Defirables of Divines, it having been fo little handled (unlefs in fome Parts or Pieces) by any Surely it is very fad to think, that the Knowledge of this Love of Chrift, (in a continued Series) being of fuch neceffary and high Concernment, hath been fo little enquired into. O what a gallant Gofpel-design were it for fome one who is acquainted with the Spirit in a large Menfure, to go over the whole Hiftory of the Gospel, (of the everlasting Gospel of Fefus) and to obferve the glorious Shinings of the Love of Chrift to Believers in all! It would be precious if fome would take it in Hand, and perfect it to the Purpose; but it is fad to think it hath been neglected fo long. As the Lord hath enabled, I have adventured: And, if for my Rashness, in not waiting any longer, to fee if any Star of a greater Magnitude would have appeared, I must be cenfured, I flee to your Honour for Patronage; not only for Patronage, but I humbly beg of You and Yours, to perife and practife this fender Work: Who can tell, but fome of the golden Oyl of Grace may come out of Fefus Chrift the true Olive Tree, even thro' thefe Pipes? And if so, your own Experiences will be fatisfactory Answers to all others, Cenfures. Sure I am in this Exercife (homever the Directions may be weaky you will find the Advantage of lying at the Well Head, and fo you may drink more fweetly than others, that make Ufe only of the Streams. That you, (My noble Lord,) and your virtuous Lady, with your hopeful-Iffue, may receive fpiritual Good by this Treatife, and all other Helps which God's good Providence may put into your Hands, is the hearty Prayer, My Lord, of,

Your Honours Thankful, Faithful,

though very unworthy Servant,

.

ISAAC AMBROSE.

To

« AnteriorContinuar »