Good Reader, His Treatife commendeth it felf to thy acceptance upon a double account, the one is the known worth of the Author the other is the great usefulnesse of the fubject matter: The Authour is Mr. Oba diah Sedgwick, no novice in the things of God, but one that for a long time, both beyond the feas, and at home, in City and in Countrey, hath kept up the vigour of a convincing Miniftery, which the Lord hath abundantly profper ed to the converting of fome, and building up of others, and no doubt to the conviction of many more, who shall one day know that a Prophet of the Lord hath been among ft them: Befides, one of an exemplary godline fe, and long experience in the wayes of God; of whole excellent (pirit the world hath had a fufficient taste in those choise Treatifes that are already published under his name; certainly from fuch an able head, and holy heart, nothing can be expected that is cheap and mean. 'Tis a loffe, a loffe that cannot enough be bewailed, that fo eminent and useful an inftrument, is now by bodily weaknesse,and prevailing indifpofitions, taken off from his publick Minifterial la bours there is no murmuring against the hand of God, but the wafting of the old flock of our able Minifters fhould be more laid to heart; alas we that are to fucceed in the Lords work (I am fure I can accufe one) with what a weak and unequal pace do we follow their great examples? and being too coo early by the removal of fuch choise inftruments,put upon publick fervices, no wonder if we faint under the burden. 'Tis fome recompenfe for this loffe, that this worthy fervant of God is yet alive, not only to honour his own Mini. ftery (which was moft confolatory) by his private difcourfes, full of faith and fpirit,and patient, yea, cheerful fubmiffion to the Will of God concerning him; but alfo to fingle out fuch Treatifes of his own, as may be of moft ufe to publick benefit and edificati on. The The other reason is the usefulnesse of the subject matter. Of a][ graces fanch is the chiefeft, of the most universal and conftant influence on the spiritual life; we work by love, but we live by faith; in the chaine of graces defcribed, 2 Pet.1 5,6,7. the first link is faith, as giving strength and efficacy to all the reft; what is the grace that yicideth the Lord the glory of his mercy,veract17 and power, but faith? it honourech God more then an uni ferme entire abedience to the whole moral Law in innocency could poffibly have done, and pleaseth him more then he was difpicafed with the fin of Adam; All graces keep time and pace with faith, if faith be weak, love cannot be strong, nor obedience carried on in an even tenour, the back of patience will foon be broken, and temperance exercise but a weak and feeble reftraint on our lufts and paffions, till we learn to counter-ballance prefent delights with future enjoyments. Faith is the eye of the foul to fee things to come, and the hand of the foul, to receive Jefus Chrift, and all benefits in him: Faith,But I will not dis grefle into the common place, certainly no Treatife of Faith can be unwelcome to a gracious heart, especially such an one as this is; where matters are carried on with fuch evidence and demonftration of the fpirit, and as to the file, with a sweet eligancy, and yet tempered with gravity and judgement. I could fpeak more, but to avoid fufpicion of partiality, and private affection to my worthy Predeceffour and Father: I fhall only adde this, 'twere pity that fo excellent a Treatife fhould come forth in an age peftred with fuch a throng of needlesse Writers, but that it is likely to be found out by its own lustre and brightneffe, like a fparkling diamond among an heap of pibbles and common ftones; The Lord continue the life of, and (if it be his gracious will) restore so much of strength to the Authour, that he may increase the Churches treasure by publishing thofe excellent Difcourfes concerning the Covenant of grace,and other fuch like spiritual arguments, which he hath in ftore by him. Reader, I am Thine in all Chriftian offices, THO. MANTON. The Contents of the Chapters and Sections. P.I P.4 P.S §. 4. Perfons rightly fenfible are as throughly refilved for the S.S.When God doth throughly work upon mens consciences,perfonal injurionfnefs must be forgotten by them who are to deal with them. §. 6. Troubled fouls must be directed to Christ. Chap.3. Faith in the Lord Jefus Chrift the only way to falvation.p.13 S. 1. What fefus fignifies, and what kinde of Saviour Chrift S. 3. Unto what Chrift was anointed, and of his office of a Prieft. $.4. §. 6. The confequent object of faith, remission of fins and righte- aufneffe, and how faith is converfant about remission of fins. p.48 §. 7. How faith locks on Chrift for righteousnesse. Chap. 7. How it may appear, that to beleeve in Chrift is the only- way to be faved. Where are fome particulars premifed. p.52 §. 1. The Argument for the confirmation of the Doctrine. p.55 1.64 Chap. 9. Our fuftification to be found only in fefus Chrift. p.68 §. 2. Juftification defined and opened. $.4. The Remiffion of finnes beling to fuftification. §. 5. The righteousnesse of Chrift is that by which we are fu- S.6.The Juftification of a finner is a gracious and just action. p.78 Chap. 10. The difficulty of beleeving. Chap. 11. The facility of error and mistake about beleeving. §. 2. Atrue love of Christ an infallible and essential evidence of 7.96 5.7. True faith defires and endeavours after encreafe. p.107 5.8. Faith in Chrift and a mournful heart for fin go together. Chap. 14. Singular comfort for all true heleevers. §. 1. They are in the way to heaven. §. 3. They are in fingular Covenant with God. §. 4. They may now with boldneffe approach the throne of grace. §. 2. The intensive diverfities of faith, wherein there is a differ- §. 5. Demonstrations of the truth of faith though weak, p.136 §. 6. The concordance of all faith which is true, whether strong or §. 1. Motives to get faving faith. PT58 |
