It is true, heaps of books is one of the oppressions of the world, and the invention of the press hath been the exaltation of weakness and vanity amongst men, as well as of learning and knowledge. Yet know I no way better to retain the oppressed in this kind, than for men of worth and grown judgments and learning to appear in books also among the multitude. The time was when there were, as the apostle speaketh, ' gods many and lords many in the world,' 1 Cor. viii. 5; when the world was pestered with devils of all sorts, instead of gods ; but the only means of discharging the world of them, was the setting forth and preaching of the one true God and Lord Jesus Christ. So the furnishing the world with such books, as are books indeed, that breathe spirit and life, and are strong of heaven, speaking with authority and power to the consciences of men, is the only way to affamish the multitude of idol* books, and to have them desolate without a reader. It is, questionless, with men in respect of books, as it is in respect of men themselves (and indeed how there should be any difference between men and books I know not, the book being but the mind of a man, and the mind of a man being the man himself). Homo liomini Dciis, homo homlni IupHS.\ There are men that are gods to men, and there are men that are wolves to men ; and the more men-wolves there are in the world, the more men-gods there had need to be ; otherwise the darkness would overcome the light, and make the earth as the shadow of
* Qu. ' idle,' = useless. — G. Eather ' idol,' in the sense of unreal, false. — Ed. t In margin here, ' .Animus cuiusquo is est quisque.' — G.
TO THE READER. 5
death. So there are books that are laden with divine and true treasure ; that will recompense the reader, his labour and pains sevenfold into his bosom ; that will open his mouth and enlarge his heart to bless God, that hath given gifts unto men. Again, there are books also that will deal cruelly and deceitfully with men, consuming their precious time and opportunities ; taking their money for that which is not bread. Now the more dreamers of dreams there are, there had need be the more that see visions. The weak, hungry, loose, and empty discourses the world is overlaid and en- cumbered withal, the more need it hath, by way of a counter rocompence, of a full provision of solid and masculine writings, that may make men men, and not always children in understanding.
But I must remember that prefacing authors with long epistles is no employment of any sovereign necessity. Therefore I will no longer separate between thee and that which I desire to recommend unto thee more than anything of mine own. The blessing of Him that giveth the increase be upon the labour of him that planted and watered much in the courts of the house of his God ; that though he be dead, he may yet speak to the edifi- cation of thine and of many souls.
; Thine with a single heart and multiplied affections in the Lord,
I. G.*
DIEECTIONS TO THE EEADEE.
Christian reader, thou mayest please to take notice that this book is divided into two parts : the first whereof is upon the whole third chapter of the Epistle to the Philippians, and contains 256 pages ; and because it is entire, and upon the whole third chapter, we have therefore put it first. The second part is upon some certain verses only of the second chapter to the Philippians, and some other texts of Scripture, and contains 204 pages.
Now, for the ready finding out of any principal or material things in the whole book, we have to the book annexed this alphabetical index ; for the understanding whereof take thou notice, that the first p signifies the f)art, and the second p the page of that part, as for example : There being nothing observed in A, we begin with B, where first thou seest, Christians must be blameless, p. 92 ; that is, part the second, page 92 of the second part ; then hoiv Saint Paid ivas blameless, ivhen he iras irithoiit the law, p. 1, p. 67, 68 ; that is, part the first, page 67, 68 of the fii'st part.t
* See note to Dedication. — G.
t As wishing to give all the Prefaces, &c., this prefatory note by Goodwin to The Table ' is here inserted ; but < The Table ' itself will be incorporated with the 'general Index. — G.
THE CHEISTIAN WORK.
Wherefore, wy beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now imich more in my absence, work oat your salvation ivitJifear and trembVuKj. — Phil. II. 12.
The first word, * -wherefore,' carries our minds back to things formerly deHvered. Before, the apostle had taught them out of the example of Christ that they should not mind their own things : ' He went about doing good,' and humbled himself. Now when God is humble, how shall any man be proud ? Having therefore such an example as Chi'ist, without all exception, as he hath done do you, be obedient, &c. In the words con- sider,