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Jan. 30. 1671. My Treatise of Family Instruction being finished and Published, I resolved after several times seeking God, and Consulting with my own Soul, to set upon composing a Treatise of glorifying God. The grounds or reasons inducing me hereunto were,
1. The Command given to all persons in all Nations to declare the glory of God, 1 Chron. 16. 23, 24. I saw here I might law∣fully, yea it was my duty, to do what I could
to set forth the glory of God: And seeing I was taken off from my publick Preaching, I might do it more beneficially by Writing and Printing.
2. My Spirit hath been for several years put upon, and stirred up to write on this Sub∣ject. I made a little beginning in the year 1664. but laid it aside, and in times of sick∣ness I have found a lothness to die till that work were done, and have met with many cross Providences as if sent with a tacit reproof for neglecting this work. Now the stirring up the Spirit to a good work is of God, and part of Gods call to the work. Exod. 36. 2. Ezr. 1. 5. Hagg. 1. 14.
3. I was under many Engagements to glorifie God, as 1st. The many and great mercies I have received for my Soul, by the Teachings and Consolations of his Spirit, and many outward mercies above my other Re∣lations, which are engagements to glorifie God. Ps. 86. 12, 13. 2ly, The eminent deliverances I have had from sickness, the Pestilence and other troubles. Psal. 50. 15. 3ly, The wonderful preservation I have had from mine Enemies, notwithstanding all the hazards I have run of falling into their hands, by Preaching the Gospel at home and abroad, which should engage me to extol and glorifie God. Psal. 30. 1.
4. I did hope for benefit to my own Soul, both by being further enlightened into the
knowledge, and excited to the practice of glorifying God, while I was studying to in∣struct and excite others thereto.