Preface

Christian Reader

To serve man’s necessity is charitable, to serve his conveniency is warrantable, to serve his iniquity is blameable, but to serve his purity is honourable.

The design of this piece is not the ostentation of the author, but the edification of the reader. In this subject you have a breviary of religion; the works enjoined in it are weighty, and the blessings annexed to it, are many. Christianity is here dressed in the white linen of purity. As grace begins in God’s love to us, so it ends in our love to him. It both makes our comforts greater, and our crowns brighter. Those children who are found moving in the orbits of obedience, shall enjoy the clearest sunshine of their father’s countenance.

Beloved, be sure to raise your superstructure upon an immoveable foundation; and enter into such a business, as hath an immediate tendency to blessedness. It is an unparalleled mercy, to be preserved from corruption in the midst of general infection. It is far better to be innocent than penitent; to prevent the malady, than invent the remedy.

Remember, reader that we can call no time our own, but the present. How carefully should we shoot, who have but one arrow to direct at the mark! The more you enjoy the smiles of God, the more you will shine in the eyes of those saints, who judge of the trees of righteousness, by the fruits of righteousness. The enjoyment of world is neither an evidence of the divine favour or anger. Judge not yourself, therefore, by the gold in your bags, but by the grace of God in you heart; not by your wealth, but by your works. If religion be your vineyard to labour in, eternity shall be your bed to rest upon. Every grace that is here exercised, shall there be glorified.

It is an unseemly thing to put on the fair suit of profession, to do the foul work of corruption. The time is approaching, when God will burn up those vines which bear only sour grapes. The gospel not only requires diligence, but it also requires excellence; that by the singularity of your actions, you may prove the sincerity of your disposition.

Christian, the race is short in which you run, but the prize is great for which you run. I wish this gale of divinity may speed your vessel to the haven of felicity; and when God gives in more to me I shall give out more to you. In the mean time, I shall deem it my highest honour to be instrumental to others’ conversion, and in this relation I beg to subscribe myself,

Christian Reader,

Yours in the Lord,

William Secker