Several works of Mr. Iohn Murcot, that eminent and godly preacher of the Word, lately of a Church of Christ at Dublin in Ireland. Containing, I. Circumspect walking, on Eph. 5.15,16. II. The parable of the ten virgins, on Mat. 25. from ver. 1. to ver. 14. III. The sun of righteousness hath healing in his wings for sinners, on Mal. 4.2. IV. Christs willingness to receive humble sinners, on John 6.37. Together with his life and death. Published by Mr. Winter, Mr. Chambers, Mr. Eaton, Mr. Carryl, and Mr. Manton. With alphabetical tables, and a table of the Scriptures explained throughout the whole.

The Epistle to the READER.

Curteous and Christian Reader,

THou hast here presented to thy view some Sermons os Mr. John Murcot, whilst he lived, a precious Instrument in the hand of Jesus Christ, a Workman that needed not to be ashamed: And now being dead, yet speaketh by these and his other labours.

Concerning the Author, he was (according to his years) of an exact judgement; which appeared,

1. In the choice of apt Subjects, with respect to the per∣sons and times wherein he lived; as he aimed at the set∣ting up of Christs interest and the welfare of his people, so he singled out arguments answerable, upon the improve∣ment whereof he spent his best thoughts: as might be in∣stanced in these and several other pieces of his.

2. In all his undertakings he laboured to discover to poor creatures the vileness of sin, Gods free Grace, yet ne•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the prejudice of Gospel-obedience: in the promoting

whereof he laboured very much, knowing the great re∣lactancy of flesh and blood thereto.

3. His wisdom appeared in his care and tenderness, in that with the discovery of sin he always joyned the near∣ness of Mercy: as he cast down with one hand, so he raised up with the other: a Bonerges, and yet a son of con∣solation: and oh how tender and humble towards poor troubled doubting souls!

4. In the healing and preventing of breaches among Brethren, he was admirable: the Lord gave him wis∣dom above his years.

(2) As he was exact in judgement, so was he full of af∣fections: how warm were they, lying in the very bosom of his Master, which appeared in his melting frame of Spi∣rit ordinarily, and in his thirst to draw down notions, that floated in the brain, to the heart and feeling, wherein he was exceedingly successful.

(3) As for conversation, he was not only spotless, but active in good, in his studies a••dlabours, wherein as he was abundant and unwearied (which probably helped to shorten his life, that when his body came to conflict with the disease, he had not strength to overcome) at all other times doing or receiving good; of whom it may be truly said, that he did Epilcopum agere & vivere act and live a true Minister of Jesus Christ: blessed Bradford connted that hour lost wherein he did not some good with his tongue, pen or purse. It was the commendation of blessed Hooper, that he was spare of Dyet, spare of Words, and sparest of Time.

These things being committed to another hand, we shall forbear; the scope of this Epistle being to acquaint thee with the grounds of publishing these Sermons, and to intreat thy candid interpretation and acceptance of our endeavours therein.

First, The satisfying of the longing desires of several, some of whom eminent not only in Place, but Piety, that their hearts may be refreshed, & their memories strengthen∣ed by reading what they formerly heard with much de∣light.

2. The general acceptation of the Author, even with all sorts in those places where he lived or was known.

Secondly, The seasonableness of the Subject: it being an Antidote against the raigning of that most dangerous evil of the times, Formality: the most satisfying them∣selves with the bare Lamp of Profession, not regarding the want of oyl in their vessels: and the best too apt to be nodding when the cry is made: and with the Apostles, most sleep when it most concerned them to be watching; which renders this Subject, not only of present, but lasting use and benefit.

Thirdly, The manner of handling, which is solid and spiritual, so that the ingenuous Reader may find in this Lamp, not only light to direct him, but heat to warm him when he is a cold, and a Cry to awaken him, when he is asleep.

Fourthly, The Authors exactness in penning them: as if Providence, contrary to his approved modesty, had de∣signed them for publick view, which thou hast here, as they were left in his own private notes: and you know, First, That writing and speaking have their several Graces, they were publikely delivered with much advantage. Second∣ly, They are set forth after his death, and you know cha∣rity is due to Orphans: the Authors more then ordinary growth in a few years, assures us, that had he lived to have revised this Work, it would have been much more digested and refined.

Thirdly, Being left in Characters, in the transcribing

whereof, by the most diligent and exact, some mistakes are almost unavoidable, so that these may challenge allowance, being transcribed by the Authors dearest relation, who ac∣quired the knowledge of his Character after his death.

Wherefore we intreat thee good Reader to bear with what might have escaped upon that, or our own accompt, which we shall willingly own, judging it our duty to prefer the Pub∣like, and eternal good of souls to our own names, for whose sake as the Pretious Author bestowed much of his oyl in the trimming of this Lamp, so we have set it up in view, be∣seeching the Father of Lights, to bless and own it with like success and entertainment in the hearts of those that shall read it, as he did when it was at first preached: Re∣maining (Christian Reader)

Thy friends in and for the Truths sake,

• Samuel Winter.
• Robert Chambers.