Preface for This Edition
By a Friend
CALL Scripture,” we are informed, “is gven by inspiration of Ckxl, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” In corresponicience with this declaration, we find in the holy volume, the evils of the life as well as of the heart of man, specjfically designated, against which wholesome admonition and alaiming threatenings are directed. And whilst its plain precepts point to amendment, its important doctrmes disclose the only way by which the and indispensable reformation can be effected. Every candid individual may be confirmed in the authenticity of the sacred word, by studying its descriptions of human nature, and comparing them with what he discovers daily transpiring in his own bo* som. Thus, without recourse to laboured treatises upon the evidences of Christianity he may, by a short and safe route, lurive at the conclusion, that ‘in old time, holy men of God spake as were moved by the Holy Ghost.” Indeed, so accurate are the delineations of the heai’t, so distinctly is the mystery of iniquity it contains, traced through all its subtle windings, and into its most secret recesses, that however sceptical the man may be, lle can hardly resist the conviction, that the truths he reads must have been dictated by that spirit, ‘who knoweth what is in man.” But ike proceas of conviction Btop« not here* Through-
«ut all the gradations of moral’ rcHQvalioTi, the sacred word is a “light to the feet, and a lantera to the path” of the humble inquirer. In it he findtlie Holy Spirit has made provision for him at every step. His doubts, his fears, his trials, his temptations, his doings and hi» sufferings, are all foreseen by that eye whidi looks through the long and devious road he has to travel, and in the blessed Book he is put in possession of an accurate and intelligible map, in which his way iiS clearly marked out for him. The author of this little volume had long been a traveller in this holy way; and, no dou)t, his mind was deeply impressed by the foregoing considerations. He had realized in hi& own experience,. “the terrors of the Lord,” and found that the “reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” Arrived at a stage of his pilgrimage in which, in retrospection, he was prepared to behold how he had been guided supported, comfort#d and defended, his confidence in the faith-, fulness and truth of God and his holy word, was “completely established, independently of abstract reasoning cr evidence. He had followed the direction of the Saviour, contained in the following declaration, “if any man will do his will, he shall know of the doetrlne, whether it be of God,” and had been completely and experimentally satisfied of its validity. Remembering the temptations, and conflicts, and trials he had himself passed through, and th liability to discouragement and consequent danger, which those especially who are just beginning a christian coui se, are exposed to from these causes, he could not but revert to that passage of the Apostle, “there are given unto us exceeding great and precious pramises, that by these ye might be made partakers of the divine nature; having escaped the comiptlon that is in the world through lust.” Out* pious aathor, innuenced by such reflections, endeavours to turn away the attention of the penitent mourner and timid believer, from the threatenings of the sacred word to its consohng* promises. This little Book, we are informed, was composed while the author was confined in the jail at Taunton, and suffering* the persecutions of his enemies on account of his religious principles. No doubt his own mind derived unspeakable consolation in the execution of a work intended to strengthen the faith and promote the happiness of his beloved flock, to whom it was sent whilst he still remained isa prison. Mr. Alleine is better known as the author of the “Alarm to the Uncon-Tertei” a book, than which, excepting the Pil- Process, no treatise, perhaps in our has had a more extensive circulation: and It mstjr be doubted, whether its usefulness has been exceeded even by that deservedly popular production.
The little work now presented to the publiq, was highly prized by individuals of literary taste and eminent piety. “Mr. Hervey, before he died, “ssLPr this book in the original, and said it was the richest piece he ever read in his life.” It was enriched with many new and appropriate scriptural references by the late Rev. David Simpson, of Macclesfield, who evinced the high estimation in which he held it by causing it to be reprinted, and circulated in that populous town and neighbour-. hood. In this edition, these references have been corrected and verified, and greatly augmented by several additional passages. The “Address to Communicants,^’ is inserted in this edition, and the “Sketch of his life and writings.”
*1t is mentioned by his friend Mr. Baxter, as one of kis^atest excellences, that ‘As in all his ministxy he WM extraordinarily addicted to open to the fecJirers the covenant ofgrcux, and to explain re* ligion in the tfue notion of covenanting with Crody and covenanl’keepingy and greatly to urge men to deliberate well-gfrounded resolutions in this holy covenant: So God was pleased to give him a certainty an(i sense of his divine faithfulness, in ftijfilling the promises of his covenant and a lively sense of alf the benefits of it. And his faith in God, for the performance of his part, was as strong and fixed, as was his own resolution in the strength of grace to be true to God. And as he was resolved, through grace, never to forsake Christ, so Christ did never fail or forsake him. In the valley of the shadow of death, he feared no evil. But when his iflesh and heart failed, as to natural strength, the Lord was the rock or strength of his heart, ami never failed him.’”
The gi’eater portion of this small work relates to that solemn covenant, which is virtually made, between every righteous man and hisMaker, and which is adverted to and renewed in every solemn act of devotion. No author has written on it with greater clearness and abiUty than Mr. Joseph Alleine.
The excellency of the pronuses and their great value to the Christian Believer, throughout every part of his pilgrimage, are too obvious to be insisted upon. They are emphatically his treasure. For, if it be true, that we are “Saved by hope,** then, in the promises of God, is comprehended every thing that the christian hopes for, whetHep pertaining to “Life or Godliness.” Besides, they are not expressed in doubtful or equivocal langge, that on this account there should be anj hesitation about laying hold upon and appropriate ing them. On the contrary, they are set forth in the plunest ai)d strongest terms, and are reiterated Its if le obmte all doubt and fear: voreover thKl( no excuse for unbelief may be left, we have the declaration of the apostle “that God, willing” more abundantly, to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutabiUty of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath; that by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie, we mieht have a strong consolation ho have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.’* -After what has been said above of the writer of this little work, it does not appear necessary to speak of the manner in which it has ben executed. We think, however, that the pious reader, will be struck with the lively and forcible manner in which the subject. is presented to him, and whilst he is convinced that iJiie writer made the promises his own, by the exercise of a strong! and unshaken confidence, he himself cannot fail to realize an increase of that Faith which is “the substance of thing’s hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen.” We will conclude our prefatory remarks with an observation which we think all important in relation to this subject. To derive r be entitled to any benefit from the promises, it is indispensable that we ‘should first be satisfied that we are the characters whom the promises conr template; otherwise, we may be assured tluvt ’ we hftve neither part nor lot in this matter.
Reader, are the promises of God exceeding;- ly great and precious, and are they not -delusive but “all yea, and amen in Christ Jesus ^’* seek diligently to experience their accomplishment in your own soul, that you may become an heir of the promise, and have the assurance of an incorruptible, undefiled and eternal inheritance when you shall be compelled to leave all your earthly treasures, and depart hence to be seen no more of men. A FRI£ND.
Baltimore, March 1, HOSe