The ioy of the vpright man In a sermon preached at Grayes Inne: By I. B. Wherein is declared the hidden comfort, the sure reward, the present condition of the vpright-hearted.

TO HIS MVCH RESPECTED AND AP∣PROVED FRIEND, M^r. DA. M.

IT hath been the custome of them that penned the Booke of Bookes, the Bible, to direct seuerall wri∣tings to some particular and pri∣uate persons, although it was in their mindes, that the Church in generall should also receiue edifica∣tion and comfort by them. So then I haue in this respect trod in their stepps, whose patterne cannot but be worth the imitation. Were it as conuenient, as lawfull, I would fully haue set downe your name: but (to auoide the least appearance of euill) I haue omitted that; and though many reasons might be produced, why I made choice of you before others, yet it would be tedious, and to no pur∣pose to relate them; wherefore let these following suf∣fice. I assure my selfe that it will be well accepted, and (as from the hands of a true (though meane) friend) receiued. I also (so farre as my iudgement leades me) verily beleeue, that the Lord hath begun his good worke in you: wherefore, though the meanes be but weake, the powerfull Creator can vse it, as an instrument to fur-ther

the same. He that could cure the blind man with clay and spittle, can produce the like effects by an ordinarie meanes, who doubteth? I will not proclaime to the eares of the world, what kindnesses I haue receiued from you (for that might seeme to smell of flattery; or by a more secret manner of begging, to craue some future fauour). But this I will onely mention, that it is out of Christian affection, and a singular desire of your good & comfort; as also to declare my remembrance of you, that I haue in this kind put pen to paper. And to say much in one word: If I haue more than an ordinary affection to any priuate person, the current thereof runneth towards your selfe. Let these lines (what euer they be) therefore the rather find a friendly entertainement: and not so onely, but especially striue to apply them to what end I haue aimed at, in the penning of them. They will plainely de∣clare vnto you, by what meanes we are to stand iust be∣fore God; of which mystery the vulgar people are (for the most part) ignorant of, or not thorowly grounded in▪ Againe, you shall find in them, that the spiritual estate of a Christian is secret, not onely to others, but often hid∣den from himselfe, especially at the time of his effectuall vocation; for then he is like the late manured field, na∣ked and bare, without the least true apprehension, or sight of sauing grace, and good graine in the furrowes of his soule. By this you may vnderstand, who are the rea∣pers of Gods greatest benefits. And finally, you shall euidently see confuted the opinion of those, that hold there is no mirth or comfort in a Christian course; who cry out, what? turne Puritane? become a Precisian? then farewell all ioy, and welcome melancholy. But we say (leauing those names to whom they of right pertaine)

that faith in the promises of God, and obedience to his precepts, will expell feare, quiet the troubled soule, and make a sad heart the merriest man in the world: for faith in the Gospell sets vs euen with God; and obedi∣ence to the Law, will bring vs to his presence, where all the righteous and vpright-hearted, shall bathe them∣selues in Riuers of pleasure, that shall neuer be dried vp, but spring, flow, and be full for euer. To the which the Lord bring you in a conuenient season, through the merits of his Sonne, by the hand of his blessed Spirit. A∣men, Amen.

Your friend, if friend to any, I. B.