TO THE READER.

THere are divers years past, since the Reverend, Learned, and Pious Author of the following Discourses, fell a sleep in the Lord, and is gone to receive the fruit of his Labours, from the chief Shepherd of the Sheep: Yet we have in his Memory a lasting proof of the Truth of that Word, Pro. 10. 7. The memory of the Just is Blessed And that of Psalm 112 6—The Right∣eous shall be in everlasting Remembrance: Their memory is Precious and Honour∣able: For I can truly say, though I have heard many, of high and low Degree speak of Master Fergusson → , I never heard any make mention of him but with Honour and Re∣spect, As a Man of great Piety and Learning, and Eminent for Prudence and Moderation. And I am confident, there will be no need of Page  [unnumbered] Epistles of Recommendation, for any of his Works, to any who either knew Himself, or have perused his Judicious and Pious Trea∣tises, published already, on the Epistles to the Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Co∣lossians and Thes•alonians. Nor am I so pre∣sumptuous, as to imagine my Testimony could raise the Esteem of any thing done by so Famous and Worthy a Man: But being his Mediate Successor to the Parish of Kilwinning, where he did for many years Labour in the Work of the Gospel; and being desired by his Son of the same Name, I could not deny to express the esteem I have for his Memory, Though I had not the Advantage of knowing him while he lived.

I am informed the following Discourses, were the subject of Divers Sermons, deliver∣ed to that People, in a time when there was much need of Warning; It was after that through a Boundless Tolleration, a deludge of Errors had broken in upon England, and the Sectarian Army having Subdued Scot∣land, and dispersed themselves in all the Parts of it, Corrupt Men and Seducers among Them, did endeavour to pervert the People Page  [unnumbered] from the Truth: Then it was (anno 1652.) When this worthy Author, as a Faithful Watchman, gave to his Flock Warning of the Danger; And that they might be rooted and grounded in the Truth, did represent to them the necessity of a sound and well-informed Judgement, in order to Holiness and Salva∣tion; and for that end did excite and direct them to Try the Spirits; and afterw•rd▪ for their further Instruction and establishment in the Truth, took notice of some particular Er∣rors, by which they seem'd to be in greatest hazard at that time; and did in a plain and convincing way, Refute the Errors, and Confirm the Truth, making alwayes some Practical Improvement of what he had deli∣vered.

Although the Reverend Author was known to be a great Master of School-learning, and was invited to be Professor of Divinity in the Famous University of Glasgow (which yet he humbly refused) yet he did not calculate these Discourses for the School or Court; But being to speak to a Countrey Congregation, wherein were many Common People (for whom they seem to have been intirely designed, since the Page  [unnumbered] Author could never be induced to Publish them in his own time) He had such a sense of the holy Apostles example 1 Cor. 14. 18, 19. that he choosed to speak to the edification of the meanest; and he had a peculiar faculty of making things intricate, plain and easie to be understood. And I am confident that those who are not for pleasing their fancy with fine notions, or their ear with jingling-words, but desire to have their judgement informed, and their conscience satisfied, will find here that which will be very edifying: For his endea∣vour is, That Controversies be clearly stated; And with great perspicuity and solidity doth he confirm the Truth by Scripture and Reason, and confute the contrary Error; and all this without bitterness or wrath, but with such calmness and moderation of Spirit, wherein he did excell; So that (as I am informed) divers of the English Army, though of a contrary Judgement, did resort to hear him; I know not what effects his Teaching of these Truths had on Them, but by the Blessing of God, these of his own Flock were so established in the Truth, that not one of them was seduced from it. And I cannot but record it to the Page  [unnumbered] praise of God and commendation of that Con∣gregation, and for the encouragement of any who may be invited to be their Pastor, when I, to their and my grief, am to be separated from them, to a more difficult Post; I say, I cannot but record it, that as that Congregation of Kil∣winning, hath since the Reformation, been blest with eminent learned and pious Men, Mr Glasford. Mr Bailie, Mr ← Fergusson → and Mr Rogirs; So they have by the Blessing of God on their labours, been kept not only Sound in the Faith, but United among themselves, when others have been wofully Divided: And they have alwayes shewed a great love to the Go∣spel, and all the Ordinances of the Lord Jesus, and the Ministers thereof: And I pray That their fruit may abound more and more.

If some Expressions Concerning the Opini∣on of Independents, or Congregational Men, seem severe; It would be remembred, that the Author doth not speak against Persons, but a∣gainst Things; And in a time when many Er∣rors followed that Division about Church Go∣vernment; and the Debate was hot about it, and fear that it should have taken place in Scot∣land: But considering the Zeal these of New-EnglandPage  [unnumbered] have discovered against Error, and their United way of acting in Association and Synods, when they think there is need, and the love that hath been in time of Common Tryal, and the Late Essay which hath been made for an Accomodation, betwixt Presbyte∣rians and Them in England; I suppose if our Reverend Author had lived until this time, he would have concluded, the Difference may be so lessened, that it need not hinder their walk∣ing together, in that wherein they are agreed, nor their Endeavours to keep the Vnity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace.

I do not know of any particular design of pub∣lishing these Discourses now, when they have been kept hid for fourty years, but that the Author's Son having long delay'd and declin'd to Publish them, though frequently and seri∣ously advis'd to do it by many, he was adver∣tised that some would publish the Imperfect Notes received from His mouth, in the time of Hearing, which being incorrect, might not only prejudge the Authors name, but the Truth, and others Edification. If these (as is hoped they will) be acceptable and useful, what yet remains unprinted of these Discour∣ses, may see the Light in due time.

Page  [unnumbered] There are here subjoyned Four Sermons of the Reverend Author, which the Publish∣er and others hope may be found of good use, and may make way for the communicating more of his Pious and Judicious Sermons, which are longed for by them who knew Him, or his other Works.

It had surely been of great advantage to the Church, had it pleased God to have spared this judicious and pious Author till now, and that he had published more of his Works in his own time: But seing our infinitely wise and good God hath disposed otherwise, it becom∣eth us to submit: But if by this, or any other of his Works, God get Glory, and the Church be edified; The Publisher will rejoice and bless God, as having attained his end. And if the Reader peruse his Works with the same Spirit wherewith they seem to be spoken and written, I am confident he will not fail of profit.

Now that the Spirit of Truth and Holiness, would lead Thee and all His people, into all Truth, and help them to edify one another in love, and that He would bless His Church∣es with Truth and Peace, and send out many Page  [unnumbered] Faithful Labourers into His Harvest with a double measure of the Spirit that was in Mr. ← Fergusson and other eminently holy Men who then lived, shall be the Prayer of,