To the Christian Reader
It is somewhat diflficult not to applaud that excellency which has first approved itself to oiu’ judgment. Hence is it, that, though this work needs it not, I will so far gratify my own affections, and comply with obtaining custom, as to acquaint thee, that, if thou hadst my eyes and taste, thou must admire its beauty, and confess its sweetness; much more when thou shalt use thy own more discerning eye and judicious palate.
The matter of these Sermons is spiritual, and speaks the Author one intimately acquainted with the secrets of wisdom. He writes like one that knew the Psalmist’s heart, and felt in his own the sanctifying power of what he wrote. Their design is practice; beginning with the understanding, deahng with the affections, but still driving on the advancement of practical lioHness. They come home and close to the Conscience; first presenting us a glass, wherein we may view the spots of our souls, and then directing us to that fountain wherein we may wash them away. They are of an evangelical complexion, abasing proud, coiTupt nature, and advancing free and efficacious grace in the conversion of sinners. The exhortations are powei-ful, admirably suited to treat with reasonable creatures, yet still supposing them to be the vehicle of the Holy Spirit, through which he communicates Ufe and power to obey them.
The manner of handling is not inferior to the dignity of the matter; so plain as to accommodate the most subhme truths to the meanest spiritual capacity, and yet so elevated as to approve itself to the most refined understanding. He knew how to be succinct without obscurity, and, where the weight of the argument required it, to enlarge without nauseous prolixity. He studied more to profit than please; and yet an honest heart will then be best pleased when most profited. He chose rather to speak appositely than elegantly; and yet the judicious do account propriety the choicest elegancy. He laboured more industriously to conceal his learning, than some others to ostentate theirs; and yet, when he would most veil it, the discerning reader cannot but discover it, and rejoice to find such a mass, such a treasure of useful learning, couched under a well-studied and artificial plainness. But let the reader take a taste of, let him concoct and digest these spiritual discoiu’ses; and he shall say with the Sabaean Queen, “It was a true report I heard m my own land, but behold the one half was not told me!” Or with the men of Sychar, “Now we believe, not because of thy saying, but because we ourselves have proved and experienced their delicacies;” as one taste of honey will more effectually commend its sweetness, than the most elaborate oratory.
Those ancients that had seen the first temple, wept bitterly when tljcy saw llie foundation of the second laid; and perhaps some pious souls who have sat with gix-at delight under the Author’s ministerial shadow, and have found his Iruit sweet to their taste, may secretly shed a tear, that, though they here meet with the same Divine truths, the same spiritual mutter, yet they want the living voice, the grateful elocution, the natural ehxpience, in whii-h that heavenly matter dropped, or rather flowed, from his gracious lips; but let the same consideration which quieted the s])irits of those Jews of old, satisfy theirs; God can fill this house also with Ids glory. And, though the second edition of the temple fall short of the former in the beauty and symmetry of the structure, yet can the Spirit flow from the press, as well as the pulpit; with this advantage, that they may here in safety read what with great danger they fonnerly heard.
I have aibnircd, imd must recommend to the obseiTution of the reader, the fi’uitfulness of the Author’s holy invention, accompimied with solid judgment; in that, whereas the coincidence of the matter in this l*«alm might have superseded his labours in veiymany verses, yet, without force or ofl’ering violence to the sacred text, he has, either from the connexion of one verse with its predecessor or the hiumony between the parts of the snnm vei“se, found out new matter to entertain his own meditation and his reader’s expectation; nor do I ohseiTe more than twelve vei”ses in this large Psalm Wholly omitted, if at least they may be said to be omitted, Avhosc subject-matter is elsewhere copiously handled.
Had the Reverend Author designed these papers for public view, he could not have flattered himself in a cavilling age, that he should esca])e the severe lashes of envy and malice (those fiends that haunt all things and persons excellent); he must have expected a snai’l from the wolfs black mouth, or a kick from the dull ass’s hoof; yet on Ids behalf I demand this justice, that he be not condemned for the printers’ crimes. Their venial eiTors will receive a pardon of course from the ingenuous reader; and, for their mortal transgressions, wln’reof they are sometimes guilty, either clouding, altering, or perverting the scope of the author, enjoin them ((ientle Header!) a moderate penance, and then receive them to full absolution, who Jiave v(duntarily offered themselves to confession.
Thus much. Christian Reader, it was thy interest and mine to have s[)oken; the rest must be to the God of all gi*ace, that he would give thee and this book Ids blessing, whic-h is the prayer of
Thv all’ectionate Friend and faithful servant in our liord Jesus,
VINCENT ALSOr.
December l:Jili. 1080