The sinners hope: as his priviledge, and duty, in his worst condition, stated, cleared, and improved.: Tending as well to the startling and inviting of the wicked from his sinfull and wretched course, upon the conditionall hopes that are layd out for him; as the confirming and directing of the truly humble and weak Christian in his duty and comfort, in the severall cases of darkness, sin, and affliction. Being the substance of severall sermons, / preached by Henry Newcome, M.A. and one of the ministers of the Gospell, at Manchester, in the county palatine of Lancaster.

To The Christian Reader, Especially to those of the Con∣gregation of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, To whose Service The Lord hath at present appointed him in the Ministry of The Gospell.

Dear Friends:

IT is the Judicious Observation of one, that it is no marvaile if many things in nature, which are unknown in their causes be very wonderfull, when many naturall things, that are known, are no lesse wonderfull, if the com∣monnesse did not prevent our consideration of them, and they would be no lesse admired and questioned for preternaturall, if not so common∣ly known as they are. And amongst some others this of Letters, whereby men speak with one a∣nother by their hands, and a man may discourse with him that hath been dead some hundreds of

years by taking up his booke and reading, as if he were raised from the dead to spake with him. It was the great goodness of God that di∣rected some instruments at first to this most ne∣cessary help, upon many accounts to mankind in all the Affairs and concernments of life, and as an high improvement of this, no lesse admi∣rable and gratious was that providence of God that set this way of printing on foot, which as it is such in the thing it selfe; so in that (as it is observed) it was in such a time when much use was made to a bad end of the wri∣tings of men, wherein the vulgar were much abused and misled by the false quotations and glosses upon the more rare and hard to be gotten written copies, that were then extant; as also, that when the light of the gospell begun to break out again after a dismall night of igno∣rance and superstition, there should be such a ready meanes prepared for the transmitting and dispersing of this light all over the Christi∣an Churches; the benefits of which blessed pro∣vidence we and our fore-fathers have abun∣dantly tasted: And though I can not but be∣waile the manifold mischiefs and inconvenien∣ces of a licentious unlicensed presse, the horri∣ble abuse and adulterating of this excellent bene∣fit; yet the profit of printing, whereby we are made partakers of the labours of the Godly and and learned in former times and the labours of others may be transferred to posterity, must needs be acknowledged as a glorious Mercy. I

must needs confesse it was far from my thoughts ever to have said thus much on this matter upon so feeling an occasion as this is, but my desire is to be serious in this undertaking, and to have an eye at God, and the speciall end wherein I might be usefull in this matter, how poore and meane soever the attempt be, or whatever it shall please God the success shall be.

The manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withall.* 1.1 And there are differences of guifts, but the same spi∣rit: To one is given by the same Spirit, A word of Wisdome to another a word of knowledge by the same Spirit. A word of Wisdome to speak Parables, A word of knowledge, to open and explaine parables as a learned Annotator and Paraphrast upon that Scripture.* 1.2 Calvin makes this knowledge to be, more mean attainments in the more myste∣rious things of God, and that of Wisdome to be more penetrating into more high and hidden things. As therefore mens guifts do differ, so must needs the Books that are written by men of by differing gifts; I must needs confesse, my share in this rich bounty in the things that are freely given us of God hath been, in what measure soever it is, of this second kind; ha∣ving attained (and desirous to be heartily thank∣full for it too) but to that of some Word of knowledge, at the utmost, that Mediocris cognitio, that meaner knowledg in these glo∣rious

mysteries; a word to explaine, open, and endeavour to set on, what is plainly set forth in Scripture for mans salvation. And whatever I am of this (more I am not suspected of, I am sure) it is a speciall guift of the Spirit to be a plain preacher, and upon this consideration being conscious to my self of my own weakness, I should have resolvedly kept my self retired, if I had known that none but the fruits of the guifts of Wisdome, in the more accurate and judicious labours of men of higher parts and abilities, could be of use to the Church of God.

I am (I blesse God) content with that part the Lord hath called me to act in his Church, and for which he hath in any measure furnished me, though much burthened and unsatisfied, that I do not what I might do to the utmost therein: and yet I oft think of what a judicious Divine once said of one very famous for a pra∣cticall preacher, that we were in a sad condi∣tion, if we had no able. Ministers in Eng∣land to deal with gain-sayers, then such as he. And I do blesse God that he hath furnished out many excellently qualified, and enabled to manage the controversies of the times with much strength and and clearness, and to de∣fend the truth against all Opposers. And though the multitude of Polemick discourses hath bred some inconvenience, and many of these worthy Champions well skill'd at their weapons have been too apt to fall from the publick service, to

engage in unhandsome and some unwarrantable duells, making many controversies and ingage∣ments wholly personall, and so the fruit of this hath no way answered the time, parts and paines that have been used in it upon many oc∣cassions: yet to nauseate or under value parts and labours this way, were for a peaceable peo∣ple to throw away their defence and bulwarks in a trained military power for their preserva∣tion. If we would have no Souldiers to defend us, our Enemies will find Souldiers to oppose us, and without resistance by some well experienced Champions, to destroy us: And if we decry all polemick learning, we may soon be over∣thrown by it in our adversaries, who cherish it to the utmost; and cannot be oppugned, nor the truth defended against them, unless by some eminently skil'd in it on our side: Men could not have peace, if it were not for warre; few would soone be to live in rest, if none to main∣taine war upon occasion: Besides, these pre∣tious men of God thus specially qualified keep the Bulwarks, whilst others lesse fit for such service should set on foot and improve the trade of religion, by which we must subsist and live eternally. Every minister should have his com∣petency in both, the word of Wisdome, and the word of Knowledge, though some mens potior parts, may lie more in the one, and lesse in the other. But controversie maintains the truth, and practicall piety improves it, that, without ten∣ding on this, defends a shadow, fights for reli∣gion

while the heart and life is gone from it; this without that, lies open to uncertainty, continu∣all disturbances from opposers, and danger of buil∣ding without a foundation, these can not well and truly be the one without the other, so likewise these do one, remotely yet often very effectually, the work of the other: Controversies well stated and cleared in many points lay the foundation solid for the pow∣er of Godlinesse to build on; and the power of Godli∣ness heartily admitted doth notably prepare for the right judging of controversies and tends much to the quieting of them. I have taken leave to commend in these lines that part which here I present not to you: But yet I am confident of it, that I may get leave for the, whoever thou art that art more in controversies, then the study of thine own heart, to lay aside those things, til this be first done. It is very sad when men when read controversies to satisfie the lust and curiosity of their own carnall mindes, rather then to enquire into the truth under them, for Gods glory and the affecting their hearts therewith which it is possible for thee to have done, read pra∣cticall books another while, and amongst the rest this, if thou please: I would thou mighst return to those things another man, and lesse of those matters would serve the turn, Five may be put out by taking a∣way the fewel, as wel as by throwing on water; this stu∣dy may heal division by diversions and by giving men a truer notion of differences, and of the seed and fuell of them from within us, which while the matter of prastical religion's neglected men have notwith them. The clensing the stomack may prevent fumes into the head and cure the disease in that part this way. I

I have purposesly waved such a notion of this very subject, as might have looked towards a controver∣sie, as also the like consideration of it, referring to us as a nation gotten like the people of Israel in Ezra's time into a great transgression, and un∣der sore judgments for the same, and what hopes might be in this thing I have but touched on the by; and all because I see this other particular course to drive at the root of all diseases amongst us; if mens hopes were founded, secured, and improved about their own soules, it would soon give us a true ground of hope of things succeeding yet well in Church and state. What God may be about to do with us of this Nation I am sometimes desirous to be enquiring after; the tokens of Gods displeasure towards us are many as formerly, so of late more especially in the sick∣nesses, strang, epedemicall and of long continuance; suddain death; untimely and sad accidents; the removall of the righteous, the Chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof, some hopefull young men prepared for the ministry prevented with the crown, before the Church had any tast of their labours (a mercy no doubt unto them, but sharpest displeasure unto us) Reformation sadly at a stand; many, sen∣sless of any great evills upon us; many have been crying out of glorious times, till the very shadows of the evening are upon us, and we almost spent, the Nation secretly wasting and consuming under our late brags of prosperity: the suddain and strange revolutions; the turnings upside down; the back∣ward and forward proceedings in the affairs of the state. And what shall we think will become of us?

well may we thus conclude, that if God intend to keepe us for his people he will reform us, and before we be reformed, the heart of the people of the land must be prepared to the Lord God of their fathers (for the want of that kept up the high places in good and reforming governours times,* 1.3 and after when Josiah did bring that to pass, the heart of the people was yet unfit for such a state, and so reformation secured them not, as a people may drive off reformation so long, that when it comes it may not cure them) but now what way so like to prepare the heart of the people, as by setting them to this study of their own hearts? my expectation of our reviving in the Nation is, if God restore and revive his work on his peoples hearts, if wicked men be turned, and men seriously study these matters about the soul, these close and inward things wherein we are gotten so far wide, as we are, the man that can save a soul is likest to be instrumentall to save the Land: The ge∣nerall desired reformation must begin, and be car∣ried on in the particular care of every man about his own soul. If these hopes here layd down were impro∣ved, as here indeavoured to be pressed, we might of the generall threating state of the whole say, that, There might yet now be hopes in Israel con∣cerning this thing.

That I should adventure these papers into the world, it cannot be out of any conceipt I can have of any thing extraordinary in them, the profit of practical books I have had the comfortable experience of in my self and others; the matter of this is not novell, neither every way common: The things

may be found in other treatises of the like kind, the method and particular digestion of them may be new, however all good books of the like subject fall not into the same hands, and this may light where some of these things may be news, at least,* 1.4 where the Children of God may well bear their being put in remembrance of these things, though they may already know them, especially you of my charge, dear to me in the Lord, because severall of your conditions I have perticularly digested in this discourse, and I judged, upon the importunity of many of you to this publication, that it might be of use unto you to peruse, that so you might be more familiar with these things, which I find many still needing, as if nothing almost of this kind had been delivered.

It is much in my heart to perswade Christians to read practicall books, and to study to looke after a spirituall provision from the Sabboth dayes and these helps, for their Souls to live more handsomely upon, then many of us do; to lay in on the market day to live on that week after, and when fresh provision is scarce or spent; or if thou wouldst feast or have variety, it were good to have a store, though of cel•• provission, to furnish the Table with: we should not keep such starved houses for Religion, as is too common amongst us, if this course and forecast were on foot. Time were well redeemed in families, to read some one of these books every day, and if this small tract may be helpfull to any this way, I shall have much cause to rejoyce.

For my credit in this undertaking the Lord hel∣ped

me over any thoughts at that, before I could hearken in the least to the motion of appearing thus to the World. It is for thy good (dear Reader) that I have ventured my self in point of credit no little: I shall challenge thy improvement of what is here tendred to thee with no other apologie; then thy se∣rious thoughts of accounting for it at the barr of God. It is a weak Minister indeed, that shall either preach or print, if it be but truth, that may not lay enough before thee to heighten thy reckoning at that day.

I cannot (to invert that of Christ's friends to him) do this thing openly and seek to keep my self in secret;* 1.5 some hands this book may fall into, that I had not chiefly in mine eye in the publishing of it, and I shall not perswade them to lay it down, I print not upon your motives, yet I may do it in part for your sakes; I would wish you to suspend your scorne and censure, till you have well secured your concern∣ment in this very matter; look to the state of your im∣mortall soules, which you may soone come to the try∣all of, and for this book or me do as you please. As it carries the message of thegne at God and our Lord Jesus Christ to men that must live for ever, perswa∣ding them to come in, I know it is of that validity & a∣thority that my name can no way diminish it; and I wil not derogate so much from the majesty of the embassage, as to ask your leave or pardon, that it is tendred to you. Reject it on your perill; It is the word, not which is, or can be by man, exposed so to you to judge of, but that one day it shall recover its place, and be that by which you shall be judged For my self I

am willing to be in your esteeme as you see fit, provi∣ded you neither wrong the truth nor your selves for me. If you receive any spirituall good here from, if you never see me, return thanks to God, who is always with you, and stands by you, and observes your very harts in the motion, the very title of the Book makes upon you, and to whome, I intreat you, speak a word for your friend (though unknown to you) when it shall be well with you. If you refuse to read or rea∣ding refuse to hearken, you will give me leave to own my name, as one amongst other witnesses, against you, when we meet at the great day; and till then to be known to you, as one desiring to be (as to others) dear to me in the Lord,

Your souls faithful friend and Servant in the Gospel. Henry Newcome.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1 Cor. 12 7. v. 4.
• * 1.2

  Sit ergo scientia mediocris cognitio; sapientia vero reve∣lationes magis ar∣canas et subl••mes contineat. Calvin in Loc.
• * 1.3

  2. Chro. 20.23. ••. Chr. 34.3.
• * 1.4

  2. Pet: 1.12.
• * 1.5

  Jo. 7.4.