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fcore. Never did any age of the church enjoy fuch choice helps, as this of ours. Every age of the go pel hath had its Creeds, Confeffions, Catechifms, and fuch breviaries and models of divinty as have been fingularly useful. Such forms of found words (however in thefe days decryed) have been in ufe in the church,ever fince God himfelf wrote the decalogue, as a fummary of things to be done, and Chrift taught us that prayer of his, as a directory what to afk. concerning the usefulness of fuch compendi- DoctorTuckney ary lyftems, fo much hath been faid already in his fermon by a learned divine of this age, as is fufficient Q Tim 1 13 to fatisfy all who are not refolved to remain unfatisfied.

Concerning the particular excellency of these en uing trea tifes, we judge it needful to mention tho e eminent teftimonies which have been given them, from perous of known worth in refpect of their judgment, learning, and integrity, both at home and abroad, because themfelves fpake so much their own praise: Gold stands not in need of varnish, nor diamonds of painting, Give us leave only to tell you, that we cannot but account it an eminent mercy to enjoy luch helps: is there are. 'Tis ordinary in thefe days, for men to fpeak evil of things they know not; but, if any are poffeffed with mean thoughts of thefe treatifes, we fhall only give the fame counfels to them, that Philip gives

Nathaniel, Come and fee. 'Tis no fmall ad- John. 1. 46. vantage the reader now hath by the addi

tion of Scriptures at large, whereby with little pains he may more profit, because with every truth he may behold its fcripture-foundation. And indeed, confidering what a Babel of opinions, what a strange confufion of tongues there' is this day,among them who profefs they fpeak the language of Canaan; There is no intelligent perfon but will conclude that advice of the prophet efpecially fuited to fuch an age as this, Ifa. viii. 20, To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. If the reverend and learned compofers of these enfuing treatifes were willing to take the pains of annexing Scripture-proofs to every truth, that the faith of people might not be built upon the dictates of men, but the authority of God: So fome confiderable pains hath now been further taken in tranfcribing thofe Scriptures, partly to prevent that grand inconvenience(which

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advantage upon us, above those that are spiritual and found; the former being suitable to corrupt nature, the latter contrary; the former fpringing up of themfelves, the latter brought forth not without a painful industry. The ground needs no other midwifery in bringing forth weeds,than only the neglect of the husbandman's hand to pluck them up; the air needs no other caufe of darkness, than the abfence of the fun; nor water of coldnefs, than its diftance from the fire, because these are the genuine products of nature; Were it fo with the foul (as fome of the philofophers have vainly imagined) to come into the world as an ab rafa tabula, a mere blank or piece of white paper,on which neither any thing writ -ten,nor any blots; it would then be equally receptive of good and evil, and no more averse to the one than to the other But how much worfe its condition indeed is, were Scripture filent, every man's experience does evidently manifeft, For who is there that knows any thing of his own heart,and knows not thus much, that the fuggestions of Satan have fo eafy and free admittance into our hearts,that our utmost watchfulness is too little to guard us from them? whereas the motions of God's fpirit are fo unacceptable to us, that our utmost dili gence is too little to get,our hearts open to entertain them, Let therefore the excellency, Neceffity, difficulty of true wif dom, ftir up endeavours in you, fomewhat proportionable to fuch an accomplishment; Above all getting get understanding,and search for wif dom as for hidden treasures. It much concerns you in respect of yourselves.

Prov. 4. 7.
Prov. 2.

Our fecond advice concerns heads of families, in respect of their families. Whatever hath been faid already, tho' it concerns every private Christian that hath a foul to look af ter; yet upon a double account, it concerns parents and maf ters, as, having themselves and others to look after,fome there are.who,because of their ignornance cannot; others, because of their fluggishness, will not mind this duty. To the former we propounded the method of Joshua, who firft began with himself,and then is careful of his family. To the latter we shall only hint, what a dreadful meeting thofe parents and maf ters must have at that great day, with their children and fervants, when all that were under their infpection shall not on. ly accuse them but charge their eternal miscarrying upon their fcore

fcore. Never did any age of the church enjoy fuch choice helps, as this of ours. Every age of the go pel hath had its Creeds, Confeffions, Catechifms, and fuch breviaries and models of divinty as have been fingularly ufeful. Such forms of found words (however in thefe days decryed) have been in ufe in the church,ever fince God himself wrote the decalogue, as a fummary of things to be done, and Chrift taught us that prayer of his, as a directory what to ask. concerning the usefulness of fuch compendi- Doctor Tuckney ary lyftems, fo much hath been faid already in his fermon by a learned divine of this age, as is fufficient

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2 Tim 13

John. 1. 46.

to fatisfy all who are not refolved to remain unfatisfied. Concerning the particular excellency of thefe en uing trea tifes, we judge it needful to mention tho e eminent teftimonies which have been given them, from perous of known worth in refpect of their judgment, learning, and integrity, both at home and abroad, because themfelves (pake fo much their own praife: Gold stands not in need of varnish, nor dia monds of painting, Give us leave only to tell you, that we cannot but account it an eminent mercy to enjoy luch helps: thefe are. 'Tis ordinary in thefe days, for men to fpeak evil of things they know not; but, if any are poffeffed with mean thoughts of these treatifes, we fhall only give the fame counfels to them, that Philip gives Nathaniel, Come and fee. 'Tis no small advantage the reader now hath by the addition of Scriptures at large, whereby with little pains he may more profit, becaufe with every truth he may behold its fcripture-foundation. And indeed, confidering what a Babel of opinions, what a strange confufion of tongues there' is this day,among them who profefs they speak the language of Canaan; There is no intelligent perfon but will conclude that advice of the prophet efpecially fuited to fuch an age as this, Ifa. viii. 20, To the law and to the teftimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. If the reverend and learned compofers of thefe enfuing treatifes were willing to take the pains of annexing Scripture-proofs to every truth, that the faith of people might not be built upon the dictates of men, but the authority of God: So fome confiderable pains hath now been further taken in tranfcribing thofe Scriptures,partly to prevent that grand inconvenience(which

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advantage upon us, above thofe that are spiritual and found; the former being fuitable to corrupt nature, the latter contrary; the former fpringing up of themfelves, the latter brought forth not without a painful industry. The ground needs no other midwifery in bringing forth weeds,than only the neglect of the husbandman's hand to pluck them up; the air needs no other caufe of darkness, than the abfence of the fun; nor water of coldness, than its distance from the fire, be cause these are the genuine products of nature; Were it so with the foul (as fome of the philofophers have vainly imagined) to come into the world as an ab rafa tabula, a merė blank or piece of white paper,on which neither any thing writ -ten,nor any blots; it would then be equally receptive of good and evil, and no more averfe to the one than to the other; But how much worfe its condition indeed is, were Scripture filent, every man's experience does evidently manifeft, For who is there that knows any thing of his own heart,and knows not thus much, that the fuggeftions of Satan have fo eafy and free admittance into our hearts,that our utmost watchfulness is too little to guard us from them? whereas the motions of God's fpirit are fo unacceptable to us, that our utmost diligence is too little to get,our hearts open to entertain them, Let therefore the excellency, Neceffity, difficulty of true wif dom, ftir up endeavours in you, fomewhat proportionable to fuch an accomplishment; Above all getting get understanding,and search for wif dom as for hidden treasures. It much concerns you in respect of yourselves.

Prov. 4. 7,
Prov. 2.

Our fecond advice concerns heads of families, in respect of their families. Whatever hath been faid already, tho' it concerns every private Christian that hath a foul to lock after; yet upon a double account, it concerns parents and maf ters, as, having themfelves and others to look after,fome there' are.who,because of their ignornance cannot; others, because of their fluggishness, will not mind this duty. To the former we propounded the method of Joshua, who first began with himself,and then is careful of his family. To the latter we fhall only hint, what a dreadful meeting thofe parents and maf ters must have at that great day, with their children and fer vants, when all that were under their inspection fhall not on ly accufe them but charge their eternal mifcarrying upon their

fcore

fcore. Never did any age of the church enjoy fuch choice helps, as this of ours. Every age of the go pel hath had its Creeds, Confeffions, Catechifms, and fuch breviaries and models of divinty as have been fingularly ufeful. Such forms of found words (however in thefe days decryed) have been in ufe in the church,ever fince God himfelf wrote the decalogue, as a fummary of things to be done, and Chrift taught us that prayer of his, as a directory what to ask. concerning the ufefulness of fuch compendi- Doctor Tuckney ary fyftems, fo much hath been faid already in his fermon by a learned divine of this age, as is fufficient Q

Tim 1 13 to fatisfy all who are not refolved to remain unfatisfied.

Concerning the particular excellency of these en 'uing trea tifes, we judge it needful to mention tho e eminent teftimonies which have been given them, from perous of known worth in refpect of their judgment, learning, and integrity, both at home and abroad, because themselves (pake so much their own praise: Gold stands not in need of varnish, nor diamonds of painting, Give us leave only to tell you, that we cannot but account it an eminent mercy to enjoy luch helps

as

these are. 'Tis ordinary in thefe days, for men to fpeak evil of things they know not; but, if any are poffeffed with mean thoughts of thefe treatifes, we fhall only give the fame counfels to them, that Philip gives

Nathaniel, Come and fee. 'Tis no fmall ad- John. 1. 46. vantage the reader now hath by the addi

tion of Scriptures at large, whereby with little pains he may more profit, becaufe with every truth he may behold its fcripture-foundation. And indeed, confidering what a Babel of opinions, what a strange confufion of tongues there is this day,among them who profefs they fpeak the language of Canaan; There is no intelligent perfon but will conclude that advice of the prophet especially fuited to fuch an age as this, Ifa. viii. 20, To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. If the reverend and learned compofers of thefe enfuing treatifes were willing to take the pains of annexing Scripture-proofs to every truth, that the faith of people might not be built upon the dictates of men, but the authority of God: So fome confiderable pains hath now been further taken in tranfcribing thofe Scriptures, partly to prevent that grand inconvenience(which A 4

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