A Christian library, or, A pleasant and plentiful paradise of practical divinity in 37 treatises of sundry and select subjects ... / by R. Younge ...

TO THE READER.

NO Humane Action can be framed so perfect, but it shall have some delinquencies; to prove that more were in the Comprisor: and it is almost as easie to finde faults, as to make them. His bodily presence (say they) it mean, and his speech contemptible, 2 Cor. 10.10. To 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the inconve∣niencies of a House built, is nothing: but to lay the Plo•• wel at first, requires the Pate of a good Contriver. All 〈◊〉〈◊〉 can do well, till they come to doing: But there is a further distance from nothing to the least thing in the World, then between it and the greatest.

All publique actions are subject to diverse, and uncertain interpreta∣tions; for a great many heads judge of them, and mens censures are as various as their palates, John 7. Our writings are as so many dishes; our Readers, Guests: Books are like faces; that which one admires, another slights. Why? Some will condemne what they do as little understand as they do themselves: Others, the better a thing is, the lesse they will like it. They hate him (saith Amos) that rebuketh in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly, Amos 5.10. You know Herods feste∣red Conscience could not endure Iohn Baptists plaister of truth; A ••alled back, loves not the curry-Combe; A deformed Face, loaths the true 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Yea, as nothing is more bitter then Honey to him that hath the Jaundise, so nothing more hatefull to the desperately wicked, than good Counsel: with Balaam, they grudge to be stayed in the way to death, and flie upon those that oppose their perdition. And how should they other then mis∣carry, who have a Pirate (the Flesh) for their guide? So that if a man should observe the Winde of Applause, he should never Sowe, or regard the Clouds of Aspersion, he should never Reap. But I had rather hazard the Censure of some, then hinder the Good of others: wherefore I have added to the former selected flowers, as many more, whence any sedulous•• ••ee may load himselfe with Honey.

To fore-relate their variety, and several worths, were to imitate an Italian Host, meeting you on the way, and promising before-hand, your fare and entertainment: wherefore let it please you to see and allow your Chear. Only, in general: my Book is a féast, wherein wholesomeness strives with pleasantness, and variety with both. Each Chapter is a seve∣ral

dish; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 full of notable sayings and examples (for that's the meat) by which a man may not only become more eloquent, but more wise; not alone, able to say well, but to do well: for quaint and elegant Phrases on a good subject, are baits to make an ill Man vertuous. Pithy Sentences, curious Metaphors, witty Apophthegms, sweet similitudes, and Rhetorical expressions (which Aristotle would have, as it were sprinkled in the most serious discourses) are to the minde, as Musick to the body; which (next to sleep) is the best recreation. Or as pleasant and delectable Sauce, which gives a more savorie taste to wholesome and profitable Divinity. And thou shalt finde but few here which are not both sinewy, and sharpe: mucrones verborum, pointed speeches, either; fit to teach, or forcible to perswade, or sage to advise and forewarn; or sharp to reprove, or strong to confirm, or piercing to imprint.

But alas! most Men regard not what is written, but who writes; value not the Metal, but the Stamp, which is upon it. If the Man likes them not, nor shall the matter. To these, I say little, as they deserve little: and turn my speech to all that reserve themselves open, and prepared, to re∣ceive each profitable instruction, and continuall amendment: to the Ingenuous Reader, that sucks Honey from the selfe same flower which the Spider doth poyson; wishing him to conne that out of this Treatise, which he did not know before; and well note what speaks to his own sin: And perhaps he may, in this short journey make more true gain, then Solo∣mons Navie did from Ophin, or the Spanish Fleet from the West-Indies; for in so doing, he shall greatly increase his knowledge, and lessen his vi∣tes. In •• few dayes he may read it, and ever after, be the better for it.

But me thinks I am too like a carelesse Porter; which keepes the guests without doors, till they have lost their stomacks; wherefore I will detain you no longer in the Porch, but unlock the door, and let you in.