Then & Now · 1 of 44
The Epistle Dedicatory
The Epistle Dedicatory
Beloved in our deareſt Lord;
Beloved in our dearest Lord;
CHriſt, the Scripture, your owne hearts, and Satans Devices, are the foure prime things that ſhould be firſt and moſt ſtudied & ſearched; if any caſt off the ſtudy of theſe, they cannot be ſafe here, nor happie1 hereafter. ‘Tis my worke as a Chriſtian, but much more as I am a watchman, to doe my beſt, to diſcover the fulneſſe of Chriſt, the emptineſſe of the creature, and the ſnares of the great Deceiver; which I have endeavoured to doe (in the following diſcourſe) according to that meaſure of grace, which I have received from the Lord. God once accepted a handfull of meale for a ſacrifice; and a gripe of Goats haire for an oblation; and I know that you have not ſo learned the Father, as to deſpiſe the day of ſmall things. Beloved, Satan being fallen from light to darkneſſe, from felicity to miſery, from Heaven to hell, from an Angell to a Devill, is ſo full of malice and envy, that he will leave no meanes unattempted, whereby he may make all others eternaly miſerable with himſelfe; he being ſhut out of Heaven, and ſhut up under chaines of darkneſſe till the judgement of the great day, makes uſe of all his power and skill, to bring all the ſons of men into the ſame condition, and condemnation with himſelfe. Satan hath caſt ſuch ſinfull ſeed into our ſoules, that now he can no ſooner tempt, but we are ready to aſſent; he can no ſooner have a plot upon us, but he makes a conqueſt of us; if he doth but ſhew men a little of the beauty, and bravery of the world, how ready are they to fall down, and worſhip him.
- 1. If a Miniſter had as many eyes as Argus, to watch; as many heads as Typheus to diſpoſe, and as many hands as Briareus to labour, he might finde imployment enough for them all.
Christ, the Scripture, your own hearts, and Satan’s devices, are the four prime things that should be first and most studied and searched; if any cast off the study of these, they cannot be safe here, nor happy1 hereafter. ’Tis my work as a Christian, but much more as I am a watchman, to do my best, to discover the fulness of Christ, the emptiness of the creature, and the snares of the great deceiver; which I have endeavoured to do (in the following discourse) according to that measure of grace, which I have received from the Lord. God once accepted a handful of meal for a sacrifice; and a gripe of goats’ hair for an oblation; and I know that you have not so learned the Father, as to despise the day of small things. Beloved, Satan being fallen from light to darkness, from felicity to misery, from heaven to hell, from an angel to a devil, is so full of malice and envy, that he will leave no means unattempted, whereby he may make all others eternally miserable with himself; he being shut out of heaven, and shut up under chains of darkness till the judgment of the great day, makes use of all his power and skill, to bring all the sons of men into the same condition, and condemnation with himself. Satan hath cast such sinful seed into our souls, that now he can no sooner tempt, but we are ready to assent; he can no sooner have a plot upon us, but he makes a conquest of us; if he doth but show men a little of the beauty, and bravery of the world, how ready are they to fall down, and worship him.
- 1. If a Minister had as many eyes as Argus, to watch; as many heads as Typhoeus to dispose, and as many hands as Briareus to labour, he might find employment enough for them all.
What ever ſin the heart of man is moſt prone to, that the Devill will help forward. If David be proud of2 his people, Satan wil provoke him to number them, that he may be yet prouder. If Peter be ſlaviſhly3 fearfull, Satan will put him upon rebuking and denying of Chriſt, to ſave his owne skin. If Ahabs4 Prophets be given to flatter, the Devill will ſtrait way become a lying ſpirit in the mouthes of foure hundred of them, and they ſhall flatter Ahab to his ruine. If Judas will5 be a Traitor, Satan will quickly enter into his heart, and make him ſell his Maſter for money, which ſome Heathens would never have done. If Ananias will lye6 for advantage, Satan wil fill his heart that he may lye (with a witneſs) to the Holy Ghoſt. Satan loves to ſaile with the winde, and to ſuite mens temptations to their conditions, and inclinations; if they be in proſperity, he will tempt them to deny God; if they be in adverſity, he will tempt them to diſtruſt7 God; if their knowledge be weak, he will tempt them to have low thoughts of God; if their conſcience be tender, he will tempt to ſcrupuloſity; if large, to carnall ſecurity; if we be bold-ſpirited, he will tempt to preſumption; if timerous, to deſperation; if flexible, to inconſtancie, if ſtiffe, to impenitency, &c.
What ever sin the heart of man is most prone to, that the devil will help forward. If David be proud of2 his people, Satan will provoke him to number them, that he may be yet prouder. If Peter be slavishly3 fearful, Satan will put him upon rebuking and denying of Christ, to save his own skin. If Ahab’s4 prophets be given to flatter, the devil will straightway become a lying spirit in the mouths of four hundred of them, and they shall flatter Ahab to his ruin. If Judas will5 be a traitor, Satan will quickly enter into his heart, and make him sell his master for money, which some heathens would never have done. If Ananias will lie6 for advantage, Satan will fill his heart that he may lie (with a witness) to the Holy Ghost. Satan loves to sail with the wind, and to suit men’s temptations to their conditions, and inclinations; if they be in prosperity, he will tempt them to deny God; if they be in adversity, he will tempt them to distrust7 God; if their knowledge be weak, he will tempt them to have low thoughts of God; if their conscience be tender, he will tempt to scrupulosity; if large, to carnal security; if we be bold-spirited, he will tempt to presumption; if timorous, to desperation; if flexible, to inconstancy, if stiff, to impenitency, etc‸.
From the power, malice, and skill of Satan, doth proceed all the ſoule killing plots, devices, ſtratagems, and machinations, that be in the world; Severall devices he hath to draw ſoules to ſin, and ſeverall plots he hath to keepe ſoules from all holy, and heavenly ſervices; and ſeverall ſtratagems he hath, to keep ſoules in a mourning, ſtaggering, doubting, and queſtioning condition. He hath ſeverall devices, to deſtroy the great, and honourable, the wiſe, and learned; the blinde, and ignorant; the rich, and the poore; the reall, and the nominall Saints, &c. One while he will refraine from tempting, that we may think our ſelves ſecure, and neglect our watch; another while he will ſeeme to flie, that he may make us proud of the victory; one while hee will fix mens eyes more on others ſins, then their own, that he may puffe them; another while he will fix their eyes more on others graces then their own, that he may overwhelme them &c. A man may as well tell the ſtars, and number the ſands of the ſea, as reckon up all the devices of Satan; yet thoſe which are moſt conſiderable, and by which he doth moſt miſchiefe to the precious ſoules of men, are in the following Treatiſe diſcovered, and the Remedies againſt them preſcribed, &c.
From the power, malice, and skill of Satan, doth proceed all the soul killing plots, devices, stratagems, and machinations, that be in the world; Several devices he hath to draw souls to sin, and several plots he hath to keep souls from all holy, and heavenly services; and several stratagems he hath, to keep souls in a mourning, staggering, doubting, and questioning condition. He hath several devices, to destroy the great, and honourable, the wise, and learned; the blind, and ignorant; the rich, and the poor; the real, and the nominal saints, etc‸. One while he will refrain from tempting, that we may think our selves secure, and neglect our watch; another while he will seem to fly, that he may make us proud of the victory; one while he will fix men’s eyes more on others’ sins, than their own, that he may puff them up; another while he will fix their eyes more on others’ graces than their own, that he may overwhelm them etc‸. A man may as well tell the stars, and number the sands of the sea, as reckon up all the devices of Satan; yet those which are most considerable, and by which he doth most mischief to the precious souls of men, are in the following treatise discovered, and the remedies against them prescribed, etc‸.
Beloved, I think it neceſſary to give you, and the world a faithfull account of the Reaſons, moving me to appear in Print, in theſe dayes, wherein we may ſay there was never more writing, and yet neverleſſe practiſing, and they are theſe that follow, &c.
Beloved, I think it necessary to give you, and the world a faithful account of the reasons, moving me to appear in print, in these days, wherein we may say there was never more writing, and yet never less practising, and they are these that follow, etc‸.
Firſt, becauſe Satan hath a8 greater influence upon men, and higher advantages over men (having the winde and the hill as it were) then they thinke he hath, and the knowledge of his high advantages is the high way to diſappoint him, and to render the ſoul ſtrong in reſiſting, and happy in conquering, &c.
- 8. 1. Reaſon. [dropped from the edition]
First, because Satan hath a greater influence upon men, and higher advantages over men (having the wind and the hill as it were) than they think he hath, and the knowledge of his high advantages is the high way to disappoint him, and to render the soul strong in resisting, and happy in conquering, etc‸.
Your importunity, and the importunity9 of many other precious ſons of Zion hath after much ſtriving with God, my own heart, and others, made a conqueſt of me and forced me to doe that at laſt, which at firſt was not a little contrary to my inclination, and reſolution, &c.
- 9. 2. Reaſon. [dropped from the edition]
Your importunity, and the importunity of many other precious sons of Zion hath after much striving with God, my own heart, and others, made a conquest of me and forced me to do that at last, which at first was not a little contrary to my inclination, and resolution, etc‸.
The ſtrange oppoſition that I10 met with from Satan, in the ſtudy of this following diſcourſe, hath put an edge upon my ſpirit, knowing that Satan ſtrives mightily, to keep thoſe things from ſeeing the light, that tend eminently to ſhake and break his Kingdome of darkneſſe, and to lift up the Kingdome and glory of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, in the ſoules and lives of the children of men, &c.
- 10. 3. Reaſon. Pirates make the ſtrongeſt and the hotteſt oppoſitions againſt thoſe veſſells that are moſt richly laden; ſo doth Satan that arch Pirate againſt thoſe truths, that have moſt of God, Chriſt, and Heaven in them.
The strange opposition that I8 met with from Satan, in the study of this following discourse, hath put an edge upon my spirit, knowing that Satan strives mightily, to keep those things from seeing the light, that tend eminently to shake and break his kingdom of darkness, and to lift up the kingdom and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the souls and lives of the children of men, etc‸.
- 8. ‸ Pirates make the strongest and the hottest oppositions against those vessels that are most richly laden; so doth Satan that arch Pirate against those truths, that have most of God, Christ, and Heaven in them.
Its exceeding uſefulneſſe to all ſorts, ranks, and conditions of men11 in the world; here you have ſalve for every ſore, and a plaiſter for every wound, and a Remedy againſt every diſeaſe; eſpecially againſt thoſe, that tend moſt to the undoing of ſoules, and to the ruine of the State, &c.
- 11. 4. Reaſon. [dropped from the edition]
Its exceeding usefulness to all sorts, ranks, and conditions of men in the world; here you have salve for every sore, and a plaster for every wound, and a remedy against every disease; especially against those, that tend most to the undoing of souls, and to the ruin of the state, etc‸.
I know not of any one, or12 other that have writ of this Subject; all that I have ever ſeen, have only toucht upon this ſtring, which hath been no ſmall provocation to me, to attempt to doe ſomething this way, that others, that have better heads and hearts, may be the more ſtirred to improve their Talents, in a further diſcovery of Satans Devices, and in the making knowne of ſuch choice Remedies, as may inable the ſoules of men to triumph over all his plots and ſtratagems, &c.
- 12. 5. Reaſon. [dropped from the edition]
I know not of any one, or other that have writ of this subject; all that I have ever seen, have only touched upon this string, which hath been no small provocation to me, to attempt to do something this way, that others, that have better heads and hearts, may be the more stirred to improve their talents, in a further discovery of Satan’s devices, and in the making known of such choice remedies, as may enable the souls of men to triumph over all his plots and stratagems, etc‸.
I have many precious friends in13 ſeverall Countries, who are not a little deſirous, that my pen may reach them, now my voice cannot. I have formerly been, by the help of the mightie God of Jacob, a weake inſtrument of good to them, and cannot but hope, and beleeve, that the Lord will alſo bleſſe theſe labours to them, they being (in part) the fruit of their deſires, and prayers, &c.
- 13. 6 Reaſon. [dropped from the edition]
I have many precious friends in several countries, who are not a little desirous, that my pen may reach them, now my voice cannot. I have formerly been, by the help of the mighty God of Jacob, a weak instrument of good to them, and cannot but hope, and believe, that the Lord will also bless these labours to them, they being (in part) the fruit of their desires, and prayers, etc‸.
Laſtly, not knowing how ſoon14 my Glaſſe may be out, and how ſoone I may be cut off by a hand of death, from all opportunities of doing further ſervice for Chriſt, or your ſoules in this world, I was willing to ſow a little handfull of ſpirituall ſeed among you; that ſo, when I put off this earthly Tabernacle, my love to you, and that deare remembrance of you, which I have in my ſoule, may ſtrongly engage your minds and ſpirits, to make this Book your Companion; and under all externall, or internall changes, to make uſe of this heavenly Salve, which I hope, will by the bleſſing of the Lord, be as effectuall for the healing of all your Wounds, as their looking up to the brazen Serpent, was effectuall to heale theirs that were bit, and ſtung with fiery Serpents. I ſhall leave this Book with you, as a Legacie of my deareſt Love, deſiring the Lord to make it a far greater, and ſweeter Legacie, then all thoſe carnall Legacies are, that are left by the high and mighty ones of the earth, to their neareſt and deareſt relations, &c.
- 14. 7. Reaſon. [dropped from the edition]
Lastly, not knowing how soon my glass may be out, and how soon I may be cut off by a hand of death, from all opportunities of doing further service for Christ, or your souls in this world, I was willing to sow a little handful of spiritual seed among you; that so, when I put off this earthly tabernacle, my love to you, and that dear remembrance of you, which I have in my soul, may strongly engage your minds and spirits, to make this Book your companion; and under all external, or internal changes, to make use of this heavenly salve, which I hope, will by the blessing of the Lord, be as effectual for the healing of all your wounds, as their looking up to the brazen serpent, was effectual to heal theirs that were bit, and stung with fiery serpents. I shall leave this Book with you, as a legacy of my dearest love, desiring the Lord to make it a far greater, and sweeter legacy, than all those carnal legacies are, that are left by the high and mighty ones of the earth, to their nearest and dearest relations, etc‸.
Beloved, I would not have affection carrie my pen too much beyond my intention; therefore onely give me leave to ſignifie my deſires for you, and my deſires to you; and I ſhall draw to a cloſe.
Beloved, I would not have affection carry my pen too much beyond my intention; therefore only give me leave to signify my desires for you, and my desires to you; and I shall draw to a close.
My deſires for you are, That he would grant you according to the riches15 of his glory, to be ſtrengthned with might by his Spirit in the inner16 man. That Chriſt may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye being rooted and grounded in love; May be able to17 comprehend with all Saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth,18 and height: And to know the love of Chriſt that paſſeth knowledge; That ye might be filled with all the fullneſſe of God. And that yee might walke19 worthy of the Lord unto all pleaſing, being fruitfull in every good worke, and increaſed in the knowledge of God, Strengthned with all might, according20 to his glorious power, unto all patience, and long-ſuffering with joyfullneſſe. That ye doe no evill. That21 your love may abound yet more and more in Knowledge, and in all Judgement.22 That yee may approve things that are excellent, that ye may be ſincere,23 and without offence till the day of Chriſt. And that our God would24 count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleaſure of his goodneſſe, and the worke of Faith with25 power. That the name of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God, and the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. And that you may be eminent in26 Sanctitie; Sanctitie being Zions glory, that your hearts may be kept upright, your judgements ſound, and your lives unblamable. That as you are now my joy, ſo in the day of Chriſt you may be my Crown; That I may ſee my labours in your lives, that your converſation may not be earthly, when the things you heare are heavenly; but that it may be as becomes the Goſpel. That as the Fiſhes which live in the ſalt Sea, yet are freſh; ſo you, though you live in an uncharitable world, may yet be charitable and loving. That ye may like the Bee, ſuck Honey out of every Flower; That ye may ſhine in a ſea of troubles, as the Pearle ſhines in the ſkie, though it grows in the Sea; That in all your trials you may be like the ſtone in Thracia, that neither burneth in the fire, nor ſinketh in the water. That ye may be like the Heavens, excellent in ſubſtance, and beautifull in appearance; that ſo you may meet me with joy, in that day, wherein Chriſt ſhall ſay to his Father, Loe, here am I, and the children that thou haſt given me.
My desires for you are, That he would grant you according to the riches9 of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner10 man. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye being rooted and grounded in love; May be able to11 comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth,12 and height: And to know the love of Christ that passeth knowledge; That ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. And that ye might walk13 worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increased in the knowledge of God, Strengthened with all might, according14 to his glorious power, unto all patience, and long-suffering with joyfulness. That ye do no evil. That15 your love may abound yet more and more in Knowledge, and in all judgment.16 That ye may approve things that are excellent, that ye may be sincere,17 and without offence till the day of Christ. And that our God would18 count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with19 power. That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God, and the Lord Jesus Christ. And that you may be eminent in20 sanctity; sanctity being Zion’s glory, that your hearts may be kept upright, your judgments sound, and your lives unblamable. That as you are now my joy, so in the day of Christ you may be my crown; That I may see my labours in your lives, that your conversation may not be earthly, when the things you hear are heavenly; but that it may be as becomes the gospel. That as the fishes which live in the salt Sea, yet are fresh; so you, though you live in an uncharitable world, may yet be charitable and loving. That ye may like the bee, suck honey out of every flower; That ye may shine in a sea of troubles, as the pearl shines in the sky, though it grows in the Sea; That in all your trials you may be like the stone in Thracia, that neither burneth in the fire, nor sinketh in the water. That ye may be like the heavens, excellent in substance, and beautiful in appearance; that so you may meet me with joy, in that day, wherein Christ shall say to his Father, Lo, here am I, and the children that thou hast given me.
My deſires to you are, That you would make it your buſineſſe to ſtudy Chriſt, his Word, your own Hearts, Satans Plots, and Eternity, more then ever; that ye would endeavour more to be inwardly ſincere, then outwardly glorious; to live, then to have a name to live. That yee would labour with all your might, to be thankfull under Mercies, and faithfull in your Places, and humble under Divine Appearances, and fruitfull under precious Ordinances; that as your meanes and mercies are greater then others, ſo your account before God may not prove worſe then others. That ye would pray for me, who am not worthy to be named among the Saints, that I may be a precious inſtrument in the hand of Chriſt, to bring in many ſoules unto him, and to build up thoſe that are brought in, in their moſt holy Faith; And that Utterance may be given to me, that I may make knowne all the will of God. That27 I may be ſincere, faithfull, frequent, fervent, and conſtant in the worke of the Lord, and that my labour be not in vaine in the Lord; That my Labours may be accepted of the Lord, and his Saints, and I may daily ſee the travell of my ſoule, &c.
- 27. 2 Cor. 11. 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28.
My desires to you are, That you would make it your business to study Christ, his Word, your own hearts, Satan’s plots, and eternity, more than ever; that ye would endeavour more to be inwardly sincere, than outwardly glorious; to live, than to have a name to live. That ye would labour with all your might, to be thankful under mercies, and faithful in your places, and humble under divine appearances, and fruitful under precious ordinances; that as your means and mercies are greater than others, so your account before God may not prove worse than others. That ye would pray for me, who am not worthy to be named among the saints, that I may be a precious instrument in the hand of Christ, to bring in many souls unto him, and to build up those that are brought in, in their most holy faith; And that utterance may be given to me, that I may make known all the will of God. That21 I may be sincere, faithful, frequent, fervent, and constant in the work of the Lord, and that my labour be not in vain in the Lord; That my labours may be accepted of the Lord, and his saints, and I may daily see the travail of my soul, etc‸.
- 21. 2 Cor‸ 11:‸23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28.
But above all, pray for me, that I may more and more finde the power, and ſweet of thoſe things upon my owne heart, that I give out to you and others; and that my ſoule be ſo viſited with ſtrength from on high, that I may live up fully, and conſtantly to thoſe truths that I hold forth to the world; and that I may be both in Life and Doctrine, a burning and a ſhining light; That ſo, when the Lord Jeſus ſhall appear, I may receive a crown of glory, which he ſhall give to me in that day, and not onely to me, but to all that love his appearing, &c.
But above all, pray for me, that I may more and more find the power, and sweet of those things upon my own heart, that I give out to you and others; and that my soul be so visited with strength from on high, that I may live up fully, and constantly to those truths that I hold forth to the world; and that I may be both in life and doctrine, a burning and a shining light; That so, when the Lord Jesus shall appear, I may receive a crown of glory, which he shall give to me in that day, and not only to me, but to all that love his appearing, etc‸.
For a cloſe, remember this, that your life is ſhort, your duties many, your aſſiſtance great, and your reward ſure; therefore faint not, hold on, and hold up in wayes of well doing, and Heaven ſhall make amends for all.
For a close, remember this, that your life is short, your duties many, your assistance great, and your reward sure; therefore faint not, hold on, and hold up in ways of well doing, and heaven shall make amends for all.
I ſhall now take leave of you, when my heart hath by my hand ſubſcribed that I am,
I shall now take leave of you, when my heart hath by my hand subscribed that I am,
Your loving Paſtor under Chriſt, according to all Paſtor all affections, and engagements in our deareſt Lord.
Your loving pastor under Christ, according to all pastoral affections, and engagements in our dearest Lord.