THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.

WHen I consider what a noble thing the Soul of Man is, the High end for which he was Made, and the great Account he is shortly to make to Him that made him, I cannot but wonder, That he who was made little lower than the Angels, should make himself little better than the Beasts.

The great and dreadful God hath taken much pains to reduce the Inhabitants of London, and indeed all the Nation to the Obedience of his Son. He hath been plead∣ing with poor England of late in such a manner, as is scarce to be parallel'd in Page  [unnumbered]fore-going Ages; he hath left the print of his Fingers behind him, and writ∣ten divine displeasure in Black Let∣ters.

The Righteous Judge began his Circuit in London, and in that one City, above one Hundred Thousand received the Sen∣tence of Death from his Just Tribunal.

That was not quite Remov'd before another Amazing Judgment was sent to succeed it. The Voyce of the Lord was not heard, the Language of the Plague was not understood; wherefore the dread∣ful Jehovah spake Louder, and Louder, as he did once from Mount Sinai, in Fire, Flame, and Smoak; he rode upon the Wings of the Wind, he rode in a Cha∣riot of Flaming Fire, whilst the Bells did Ring their own Knells, as they were Tumbling; and it's to be feared, were more melted at the Anger of the Mighty God, than Thousands of Hard harted Men and Women were. The Leads of the Churches were Dissolved into showers more easily far than stupid Professors, that were wont to sit under them. That was a Black Cloud indeed which no Wind could blow over, till it fell in such Scald∣ing Drops.

These things Considered, I hope it will not be unwelcome, nor unseasonable, if I put you upon looking out for such a Friend as will provide sufficiently for his under all these Straits, and prove the Best in the Worst of Times. He knows Job upon the Dunghil, as well as David upon the Throne; he will be most Kind when others are most Unkind; he will Visite you, when others will scarce Look upon you. In his House you shall be as welcome as ever. There are many Mansions, if it were not so, he would have told you. In this City there is Room enough, and you shall have En∣tertainment, &c. be more Welcome than if you had stayed away: His Doors will be open to them who have no Houses to hide their Heads in. Come to him ye Harberless ones, he Invites you Earn∣estly and Heartily, &c. He will give you Shelter, you that have no Friends, or but sorry ones. Come to him now in your Straits, and he will never cast your Po∣verty, or his Kindness in your Teeth; except your Carriage be Proud, and unbe∣coming your State. God hath lately read us a Lecture of the Vanity of all Crea∣ture Enjoyments, And will you after this Page  [unnumbered]refuse Acquaintance with Him, who will be better to you than a thousand of the best friends that ever man had upon Earth?

I have in the following Book given you Directions how you may come to be Acquain∣ted with Him.

As God appointed Cities of Refuge, so he gave express Command, that the way to them should be made Plain, Fit, and Broad: And therefore the Messen∣gers work every Year was to Remove all Stumbling-Blocks, and Offences. They suffered not any Hill or Dale to be in the way, and at the partition of wayes, they set up in writing, Refuge, Refuge, That the Pursued might have notice what way to take upon every turn, Deut. 19.2, 3.

The like I haved endeavoured in this ensuing Discourse, to make the Way to this Blessed Friend Plain and Familiar. Pray for a Blessing upon it, which cost the Author some Pains, Prayers, Tears, and Groans; That what was here written might be the Transcript of his own Expe∣rience, and might be some way subser∣vient to the Glory of God in the Con∣version and Comfort of Souls. If you find any good in the use of this Book, Page  [unnumbered]give God the Praise, and labour to keep a constant warm sence of the Excellency of such a Friend upon your Spirits, and com∣mend this Friend to all your Relations and Acquaintance; that none of them after great Losses, may lose God, Heaven, and themselves too. O that will be a Dreadful Loss indeed! I again beseech you; forget not to Pray for one of the most unworthy in∣struments that ever Infinite Goodness made use of in so glorious a Work: