1 The philosopher could say, that desires are properly v^ii ra kiayxavra., to what is necessary.
* Them that are extant are sold by the same man that sells this, at the first shop in Pope's-head Alley, next to Cornhill. [See Vol. I. — G.]
* Joel iii. 16 ; Hag. ii. 6 ; Isa. xxiii. 9 ; Isa. Ixiii. 2, 8.
that little well-grounded assurance that is to be found among most Christians.^ Most Christians living between fears and hopes, and hang- ing, as it were, between heaven and hell, sometimes they hope that their state is good, at other times they fear that their state is bad : now they hope that all is well, and that it shall go well with them for ever ; anon they fear that they shall perish by the hand of such or such a corruption, or by the prevalency of such or such a temptation ; and so they are like a ship in a storm, tossed here and there, &c. Now that these weak souls may be strengthened, that these unstable souls may be established, that these disconsolate souls may be comforted, &c., I have presented this tract to the world, not doubting but that if the Lord shall draw out their spirits to a serious perusal of it, they shall find, through the blessing of Jehovah, that it will contribute very much to their attaining of a full assurance of their everlasting happiness and blessedness, as also to the keeping and maintaining of that full and blessed assurance ; which that it may, I shall follow it with my prayers.
Fifthly, I have published this following discourse, remembering that my life is but a vanishing vapour, James iv. 14, and that the time of my sojourn in this world will be but short, Ps. xxxix. 12. Man's life is so short, that Austin doubteth whether to call it a dying life, or a living death. Man's life is but the shadow of smoke, the dream of a shadow. This present life is not vita, sed via ad vitam, life, but a motion, a journey towards life (Bernard.) The life of a Christian is rather via than vita, a step towards life, than life. Yet do I believe that that is not a death, but life, that joins the dying man to Christ ; and that is not a life, but death, that separates the living man from Christ.
I know I shall not speak long to friends, saints, or sinners ; therefore T was the more willing to take the opportunity of preaching to you when I am dead. As Abel by his faith, he being dead, yet speaketh, Heb. xi. 4, so this treatise may speak and live, when I shall return to my long home, and fall asleep in the bosom of Christ." Christ his prophets and apostles, though they are now in heaven, yet by their doctrines, examples, and writings, they still preach to the saints on earth.
Zisca desired his skin might serve the Bohemians in their wars, when his body could no more do it. Oh that poor I, that have been but a little serviceable to the saints in my life, might by this, and my former weak labours, be much serviceable to them after my death ! Books may preach, when the author cannot, when the author may not, when the author dares, yea, and which is more, when the author is, not'
Sixthly, To testify my cordial love and atfection to all the true lovers of Christ, and to let them know that they are all, though under different forms, precious in my eyes, and very near and dear unto my heart. I bless God I am, and I desire more and more to be, one with every one that is one with Christ, Philip, iv. 21 ; Col. I 4 ; 2 Thess. i. 3. I would fain have as free, as large, and as sweet a heart towards saints, as Christ hath. For a wolf to worry a lamb is usual, but for a lamb to worry a
' Every unsettled Christian is Magor-misaabib, a terror to himself, yea, his life is a very hell ; fears and doubts are his cbiefest companions, and so he judges himself unfit and unworthy to live, and yet he is afraid to die ; and verily this is the sad condition of most Christians. * Eccles. xii. 5 ; Acts vii. 60.
' A reminiscence from Thomad Adams. See Index, sub nomine. — 6.
EPISTLE TO THE SAINTS. 315
lamb is unnatural ; for Christ's lilies to be among thorns, is ordinary, but for these lilies to become thorns, to tear and fetch blood of one another, is monstrous and strange.^ Ah, Christians ! can Turks and Pagans agree ? can Herod and Pilate agree ? can Moab and Ammon agree ? can bears and lions, can wolves and tigers agree ? yea, which is more, can a legion of devils agree in one body ? and shall not the saints, whom heaven must hold at last, agree ?
Pancirolus tells us, that the most precious pearl the Romans had, was called unio} Oh the union of saints is an un valuable pearl ! The heathen man, by the light of nature, could say, ' That the thickest wall of a city in peace, and the safest rampire^ in war, is unity. Verily all saints are one in Christ, all saints partake of the same spirit, promises, graces, and privileges. All saints are fellow-members, fellow-soldiers, fellow-travellers, fellow-heirs, fellow-sufferers, and fellow-citizens ; and therefore I cannot, dare not but love them all, and prize them all ; and to evidence it, I have dedicated this treatise to the service of their souls.
Seventhly and lastly. To fence and fortify the souls of real, serious Christians against those brain-sick notions, and those airy speculations, and imaginary revelations, and enthusiastical fancies, &c., with which many are sadly deluded and deceived, even to their eternal overthrow, I had almost said.
Thus have I given you a brief account of the reasons that have pre- vailed with me to publish this treatise to the world, and to dedicate it to yourselves.* Let your hearts dwell on truth, as the bee doth upon the flower ; every truth being a flower of paradise that is more worth than a world.
Now the God of all grace fill your hearts and souls with all the fruits of righteousness and holiness, that you may attain unto a full assuranceof your everlasting happiness and blessedness ; which that you may is the sincere, earnest, and constant desire of him who is your soul's servant,
1 Mareellinus, a heathen historian, taxeth the Christians of his time for their dissen- sions, biting and devouring one another, till they were even consumed one of another : a sad thing that a heathen should see such miscarriages among Christ's followers.
* Cap. vii. de Gemmis. [Pancirolus died 1599. — G]
2 Rampart = defence. J 1 et another Shakesperian word : Timon of Athens, V. 5. — G.
* I had not thought to have pressed into the press, had I not been soundly pressed there- unto.
TOUCHING THE NATURE OF ASSURANCE.