The terrestriall paradise, or, Happinesse on earth. Written by Robert Crofts.

THE PREFACE TO the Readers.

ALL men naturally desire happines All their plots, purpo∣ses, and endevours aime at this end on∣ly. Wherefore it is and alwayes hath been free and very commendable, for all men to learne

and seek happines in all good ways To tell what they have learn'd and to doe good to themselves and others, according to their genius abi∣lities, opportunities, and occasions. Having therefore had more leisure then sometimes I wisht to have, and therin also the opportunity to peruse many good Authors, I thought not amisse (to avoid idlenesse and Me∣lancholy, and to recreate and please my selfe) to search and study for true joy and happinesse. And having col∣lected many notes concerning Ter∣restriall, Morall, and divine happi∣nesse on earth, I have since written the same together in a Booke and as well as my weaknesse could, digest

the same into such a manner, method and stile, as I thought best, with such alterations, additions, intermixtions, and inventions, as met with my Me∣ditations; intending the same at first onely for private use. I had thought to have written in this Epistle divers reasons moving mee to publish this little Treatise before the rest which I have written of this subject. But if I should, the same would ex∣tend the Epistle too long for the Booke: Nor is it expedient to parti∣cularize, and tell you private reasons in print, I shall now therfore concer∣ning this matter onely tell you, that having lately publisht a little Booke being one particular part of Terrestri∣all

Happinesse (as this is a generall part therof.) The Epistle therein, to the Reader, may with very little alterati∣on serve to this Book also, to which (if you be not satisfied,) I referre you.

And since I have made use of ma∣ny good Authors; And found much happinesse in the inquisition and stu∣dy therof, I cannot but hope there are some things herein worthy your perusing. Nor is it a crime, as some would seeme to mayntaine, to make use of Authours; It rather argues conceitednesse, vain-glory, and folly in such men, who think it Pedanticall and weaknesse; to stoop to and ac∣knowledge other mens authority and opinions as being opposite to their

affected humours and stile, when as themselves indeed gaine all their knowledge from others. And now, i•• is said; No new thing can be writ∣ten which hath not been before.

Yet by composing a Book in a new manner, method, and stile, by alte∣ring, adding to, abridging, and som∣times converting to other purposes, the same may seem to be (and be as usefull) as if it were all new, and which to doe is often as difficult, and requires wel-nigh as much art, as wholly the invention of new mat∣ters: and is better to be esteemed be∣cause more authenticall.

I should have done well indeed, to have cited Authours, But being at

first written for private use I negle∣cted the same, and now cannot re∣deem that neglect, or if I could the Treatise, in respect of the stile inter∣mixions, abstractions, additions, and alterations in divers places would not well admit therof. But although it be truly said that no new thing, can be said or written which hath not been (to the same effect) before; yet may it be said of this Treatise in ge∣nerall (aswell of the composition thereof) that the same is new, in as much as never any man (that I can reade of) hath written any Book of this subject, Namely, the enjoying of earthly happinesse freely and cheer∣fully (though in the good use therof)

and with a heavenly minde: But of ••e contempt thereof many Bookes ••ave been written, and yet the grea∣••est contemners of earthly felicities, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their Bookes will sometimes con∣••esse this truth, That in the good use ••hereof the same may be enjoyed ••reely and cheerfully. And that such ••ree enjoying, and the contemplati∣••ns thereof may excite us to Pietie, to ••eavenly joy and happinesse.

Concerning the stile and method, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 affect not too much nicenesse and ••uriosity. Nor on the otherside, too ••uch loosenesse and indigestion. My ••ndevours have been to compose the ••ame in a serious, yet free and plea∣••ng way. But, I confesse, my ende∣vours

are very weak and worth¦lesse, whch I tell you; and truly te•• you, because I had much rather yo•• should be possest with a prejudicat•• under opinion, then great expectati¦on; It is easier to make the one fals•• then the other true, I could wish in¦deed, that I were able to raise Medita¦tions as high as Heaven from th•• Earth. But the consideration of my weaknes, and unworthinesse deject•• me.

But the Abstracts, I confesse, I have beene but little used to study in tha•• way. And they were but a late exer∣cise of a short time for recreation and to try conclusions. In them also I have not much cared for niceness o••

••uriosity, but takē a free liberty. The ••ooke were (perchance) in a wise ••ans judgmēt, better without them. But in my weak judgement the same ••ay be read (as they were written) ••o recreate the minde. Also to quic∣••en the memory. They are compo∣••ed (considering the subject) in a ••ew and, I hope, pleasing manner, ••nd free from unnecessary Poeticall ••dditions, fained allegories, Parables, ••nd consequently from obscurity, te∣••iousnesse, and most befitting the ••••bject.

Concerning the Title, it is usuall ••o prefixe titles to Books in these ••imes, perchance better then they deserve, and as some thinke, a kinde

of policy. If therfore you thinke have herein done amisse I have pres••¦dents for it. Notwithstanding; think the Book in divers respects i•• correspondent to the Title, and ma•• very well befit the same. However would desire you to expect onely a very short discourse upon each of th•• severall heads or Sections; a view wherof you may see in the Analysis If you look for more you are not like in this Book to finde it.

How necessary this Treatise is, i••¦selfe will shew. I conceive there can∣not be a greater motive to stirre us up to vertue and pietie, then to shew (against the pernitious opinion of the World conceiting the contrary)

that vertuous and pious men even in ••is life may enjoy much more hap∣••nesse than vicious impious men. That this truth may more plainly ••ppeare, I shall endevour hereafter to ••ew the same more particularly and ••ainly, also to search further and ••ore excellent Happinesse, to enjoy ••s far as our mindes are capable) on ••arth, the joys of Heaven within us.

Robert Crofts.