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.

Christian READER.

I Never knew the Author of this Work in Person while he lived, but being dead, I know him by his Picture, and that the Picture of his better and more noble part. The first Part of this Book is formally so, being a very exact draft of his whole Life, and the image of his in∣ner. Man in all the Divine Colours, Lights, Lineaments and beauties of it. Few men have found such a Pen∣••il to draw them, and few Pencils have found such a man to draw. He was but a little while in the world, but he lived long, else he had never yielded true Materials for so long a History of his Life. The following Parts of the Book are vertually so, I mean the Picture of his better Part, or the image of his mind: in which, though dead, he yet speaketh, and breatheth through every Page and Line, Truth and Holiness, Zeal for God, and Compassion to the Souls of men, his own Tasts that the Lord is Gracious, and ••is longing Desires to make others partake of the same Grace, which himself had tasted. Read the Book, and therein you have the Soul of a faithful Minister of the Gospel copied out.

It is an amazing Providence to see many unprofitable Drones, Idol Shepherds, blind Guides, Men whose Graces are not at all discernable in their lives, and whose gifts are sapless, Spiritless, and upon the matter useless in their Ministery, live to old age, and wither upon the Stalk; while others of shining Graces, of lively Gifts, and of unwearied Industry in the Lords Vineyard, are cropt off in the very blooming, and as soon as shewed to the world, called out of it. But who may say to God, what dost thou? He is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his Soul desireth, even that he doth. He performeth the thing that is appointed for us, and many such things are with him.

But though we have nothing to say to God, the most wise God, about this dispensation; yet this saith much to Man. This saith much to Ireland, whither God sent this burning and shining light; Have not they much cause to consider how they prized it, how they im∣proved it, seeing God put it out so quickly, and gave them so short a season to rejoyce in it? That he preached so few years to them, should be to them an everlasting Sermon. And this question should come thick upon the heart of that Church there, which was the Candlestick in which God placed this light; why was it so? why was it so? why hath the Lord removed our Teacher into a Corner (the very Grave) so that our eyes cannot see our Teacher (who was also a Pastor after his own heart) any more? Was he enough in our hearts? or was he too much there? We may forfeit our enjoyments by too high, as well as by too low an esteem of them; and by looking too much upon means, provoke God to hide it from us. But whatever moved the Lord to take him from you, it well becomes you to be thankful that you had him (though but for a short season) in person among you, and that so much of him (this mant le which fell from him as he was ascending) is gathered up, and left with you and other Churches, as his Monument and Memorial for ever.

Joseph Caryl.