A view of the threats and punishments recorded in the Scriptures, alphabetically composed with some briefe observations upon severall texts / by Zachary Bogan ...

TO MY HONOVRED FATHER M^r WILLIAM BOGAN.

SIR,

IT is too well knowne to you, how for no lesse then foure or five yeares, (by the just hand of God upon me for my many Sins; and, perhaps, more espe∣cially, for my presumption upon my power over my passions, and my phancy; which I have most prefidently expressed, when∣soever my friends bade me beware, how I yeelded to them) I have been in a manner buried alive in melancholy, and

spent my dayes in vanity. My distemper was such, as did not onely render me indisposed, by study to gather more knowledge then I had before, (being not able for whole moneths together, to per∣swade my selfe to take a booke in hand; and for severall yeares, if I had read any thing, to tell you what I had read:) But also made me to loose a very great part of that which I had already gathered. And therefore I doubt not, but my Ac∣quaintance and Country men, what ever they may think, and say too, sometimes, against mee for idlenesse: yet after a ve∣ry few serious thoughts, doe abundantly excuse me. It is true, It was one of those things, which in my melancholy, my deje∣cted spirit dwelt longest upon, that I had done God, and my brethren no ser∣vice, having lived so long. But after a

yeare or two, It pleased the Lord (who, I cannot say, did ever hide himselfe in my trouble, or despise my affliction; but was ready to know me in all my adversity) to set me in a way, wherein I might spend my time better, and passe thorow with more ease, some of the rest of those wea∣risome dayes, which he had appoin∣ted for me. He gave me a subject to meditate upon (wherein he dealt suit∣ably with my distemper, as well in the employment, as the subject: being fitter for meditation, then reading) The Mirth of a Christian Life, (in op∣position to those who disparage it with re∣ports of melancholy & sadnes.) VVhich accordingly I undertooke, and commit∣ted my meditations (such as they were) to paper. VVhen some yeares were past: you may remember, that the last winter,

you told me in your letter, that my mo∣ther desired much to see those meditati∣ons printed. I resolved, considering the sickly condition she was then in, thoug•••• they were never so unworthy the publike view, to satisfie her desire. But before •• had set upō the busines, it thus happened. Being in a Booksellers shop, and looking upon a treatise of God's Promises; I asked the Bookeseller, whether he knew of any Treatise of his Threats Being answered (contrary to my ex∣pectation) that he knew of none; I was the more earnest to inquire further. And so I did; but could heare of none. VVhere∣upon I told my Bookeseller, that I re∣solved forthwith to read over the Bible, and make a collection of them my selfe; and, if it pleased God to incourage me in it, to print them. Now the Lord did en∣courage me, and that exceedingly (as I

shall shew you in my preface to the Rea∣der;) so that I have finished my worke quickly, and brought you savory meat, such as, I hope, you love. You had had it long since, had it not been longer in the Printers hands, then it was in mine owne. But I hope it is not too late now. I had another reason, besides naturall and civill obligation, why I chose to dedicate this booke to your selfe. And that was this, viz. because I conceived the contents of it more proper for your family, then for any that I knew; in regard we have had more mercies then other families, and as I feare, have abused them to securi∣ty. The truth is, a booke of this nature is very proper for the whole Nation; be∣cause there have beene so many judge∣ments of God in the Earth, and in our owne Land; and yet we have not learned

righteousnesse. The Lord grant, that as many as yet remaine, may heare and feare, and may henceforth commit no more such evils, as they have com∣mitted. But I have held you too long. And therefore I will conclude, with this humble request, that as often as you meet with any faylings in this booke, you will beare with them in that manner, as you have been wont to beare with them in the authour: so as never the lesse to ac∣cept of the unworthy gift of

C.C.C. Jun. 29, 1652.

Your obedient Sonne ZACHARY BOGAN.