In this small following Treatise I hope you will find some Discourses of the fulness of Jesus Christ , and the emptiness of the Creature , for that is my Desire in all my Labours among you , to get an esteem in your Hearts for Christ above all other things , and that the Name of the Lord Jesus may be glorified in you , and ye in him : I hope I need not doubt of your acceptance of those plain following Truths . I do not think that you will refuse it for its plain Dress , but rather embrace it ; for I know , as for the most part of you , that you had rather have Christ plainly preach'd , than such Discourses that are bedeck'd with Rhetorick , or painted over with curious Words of Arts. I may expect it will not be free from the Slighting Scorn , and Contempt of many , that are ready to undervalue every thing but what they do themselves , and to find fault with that they cannot mend . But I have learned not to value any of their undervaluings : For if a thousand to one slight it , yet if one in a thousand get good to their Souls ' by it , I shall bless God that ever it was printed ; what evil Report soever I may receive from evil Men of evil minds for the Works sake : I hope I shall not value the Frowns of Men , as one well saith , Better to lose the Smiles of Men , than to lose the Souls of Men ; and I am sure without Christ be our Life , we are poor undone dead Sinners . I know I have many Enemies , who have through their Envy and Malice raised many false Reports of me : But I desire to be an Enemy to none , but those that are implacable Enemies of Christ in Doctrin and Practice ; but tho they are my Enemies , yet I freely pray for them . But I cannot expect to fair better than those that have abundantly excelled in Grace and Knowledge , that were both burning and shining Lights , whose Works praise them in the Gate , and their sweet Savour in Christ made known to Saints and Sinners ; many hundreds , I believe , have cause to bless God that either heard them preach'd , or have read their Works : And yet how are these Men railed against as not worthy to live , and their Works to be burnt by the common Hangman , as one with more Zeal than Knowledge declared : Because Men have not received that measure of Knowledge and Experience as those Men had , they rail against them as ignorant unlearned Men , their Books not safe for any to read . Do not these Men go quarrelling along in the Dark , because their Brethren have received more Light than they ? Persons are grown to such a fond conceit of themselves and their own Opinion , they will not hearken to Gospel-Experiences ; they will not so much as try those Truths they revile by the Scripture , but proceed with Lies and Slanders against those good Men , though they never knew their persons , nor read their Books . I am Perswaded if these persons had knowledge of those persons , and Truths they speak against , if the Lord were pleased to reveal himself to them , had they a taste and sight of the Lord Jesus , who reveals himself how and to whom he pleaseeh , insted of biting and devouring of them , and spending their time to raise evil Reports of them , they would enquire after the knowledge of Christ , as the Daughters of Jer did of the Spouse , Whether is thy beloved gone , that we may seek him with thee , Cant. 6.1 . If Christians would spend that time in enquiring after Christ , and receiving and imparting their Experiences to each other , as they spend in Contentions , and taking up and carrying about evil Reports of them that excel themselves in Godliness , they would find more Peace and Comfort to their own Souls , and bring more Glory to God , bring more Souls to Christ , and would be a means for the Beauty of Holiness , and Power of Godliness to shine with a greater Lustre to the World .

This is my comfort , whatever Mens Thoughts or Words , Censures or Contempt are of these my poor Labours , I can truly say , I seek not my self , but the exalting of Jesus Christ , and his Truths and Kingdom in the World . In singleness of Heart I have imparted Truth to you , as I learned them in Jesus : I had rather have the Scorn of Men for the plainness of Truth , than you should have plain Truths hid from you . If I am the Object of Worldlings Scorn , so Christ be the Object of your Faith , therein I shall rejoyce .

Beloved , as I have granted your Request in Printing my unworthy Labours , which were done chiefly at your Request , and for your sake , I pray grant me some few Requests , which I beg of you for Christ's sake .

First , That you seriously and carefully peruse these Plain Truths that I have Dedicated to you . Secondly , That you go to the Throne of Grace , and there earnestly beg a Blessing on what you read . Thirdly , If your Souls receive benefit in the reading of it , ye ascribe all to God alone ; it is he alone that teacheth to profit by all we read or hear . Fourthly , That you would study and love Christ more , let his Glory be the end of your Actions ; you never seek your own interest better , then when you seek Christ's above all : Your Excellency most appears when Christ and his Excellency is known to you : When your Eye is singly set on Christ , then is Christ admiring your Beauty , Cant. 4.7 . The single Eye took away Christ's Heart , then the Chain of Obedience ravished him also . Without a pure Intention , aiming at the Glory of God , to exalt Jesus Christ , there is no Action , be it never so excellent in its self , is accepted of God , Hos. 10.1 . Israel is an empty Vine , he bringeth forth Fruit to himself : He weighs out his Fruit to himself , he proportions his Religion to himself ; all being for himself , God accepts him not . Such Fruit and meer Emptiness is much as one before God : It is not enough that a thing done be materially good , but because God commands it , and that it is to the glorifying the Lord Jesus : He that is Alpha must be Omega ; He that is the Supreme Good must be the ultimate end of all things . Let all your good Works fall in Christ's Bosom , and centre in his Glory . They that do not with a single Eye look to Christ in all , they make as if there were something more excellent than Christ to look unto . Since Christ is a Believers Life , from whom he receives all the good he enjoys , his Life , and Strength , and Comfort depend upon him for the Influence of his Grace and Spirit , to have daily Supplies and Waterings from him , that you may continually live to him , Psal. 119.32 . He prays for Heart-enlargement to run the way of God's Commandments . Psal. 119.173 . Let thy hand help me , for I have chosen thy Precepts : We have need of continual Supplies of Grace : If you be never so well furnished with Divine Grace , it will not be in exercise without fresh anoynting , and fresh Gales of the Spirit , Cant. 4.16 . Awake , O North-wind , and come thou South , blow upon my Garden , that the Spices thereof may flow out ; let my Beloved come into his Garden , and eat his pleasant Fruits . Ordinances are but Mediums and Chanels of Grace ; we had need to look to Christ to fill them with Divine and Spiritual Blessings . It is not a Sanctuary of Ordinances will do our Souls good , it is the Power , and Glory , and Goings of God in it is the Life of the Soul : It is the Drops of the pure Rivers of Life above dropping upon the Soul refreshing it in Ordinances . Ordinances are dry and empty things , if the Lord Jesus by his Spirit doth not breath upon the Heart . O then lie down at the Feet of Christ , and look up to him in all , above all , for all , casting our selves and Burthens upon him , that we may be supported under all our cares , and fears , and temptations , and be relieved in all wants and exigencies . Do all through the influence of that Spirit that comes down from the Head , that with St. Paul you may live , yet not you , but Christ . Paul owned his Life was bound up in Christ , Gal. 2.20 . I live , yet not I , but Christ liveth in me .

Sixthly , The Sixth Request is , That your Conversations be only as becomes the Gospel ; let not the Doctrin of Free-Grace be abused by your unholy Conversation ; see that ye be not of the number of those Atheists , that say , Let us Sin , that Grace may abound : Let the Enemies of the Doctrin of Free-Grace reproach the Doctrin , and the Christians that own it a their pleasure ; I am sure there are none that are acquainted with the Free-Grace of God can live a loose Life ; neither was any known that taught that Doctrin feelingly , or learn'd it truly , that were ever known to be wicked persons . The Grace of God teacheth us to deny ungodliness and worldly Lusts . Indeed the Notions of Free-Grace may leave persons with unsanctified Hearts and Lives , but the true Knowledg of it leaves so sweet a Savour upon the Heart , that the Soul cannot willingly embrace Dunghil Lusts . When the Soul knows the whole of his Salvation is of Free Grace , that Soul is drawn forth to love , admire , glorifie and praise God , who hath done such great things for him .

Let me beseech you , let not the glorious Gospel suffer Reproach by your uneven Conversation . You know , you that profess the Truth , Truths of Christ have many Enemies . You had need pray earnestly to be led in a plain Path , because of all your Enemies : You have given up your selves to the Lord in your external Dedication , see that it appear in your Conversation . The Life of an Holy Man is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , according to God , 1 Pet. 4.6 . That God , you have given your selves up to , is an holy God , the Lord Jesus that redeemed you , is the Holy one of God : The Spirit that leads the Children of God is an holy Spirit ; the Covenant that you are in is an holy Covenant ; without Holiness none of you shall see the Lord . Then let me prevail in my Request , Pray live holy Lives , let your Conversation be as becomes the Gospel only , then no matter what Men say of you , you will have great peace in your own Souls , Psal. 119.165 . Great peace have they which love thy Law , and nothing shall offend them . It is better to be holy , than to be thought holy ; no matter if you are outwardly black , so you are inwardly beautiful .

Seventhly , Walk in love , imitate the Lord Jesus , whose love overcame all our infirmities ; love brought him out of his Fathers Bosom , love caused him to be born in a low condition , to bear our sorrows and grief , he taught love , he practised love , he died for love , he left pledges of his love to comfort his Spouse in his absence , and will shortly come and fetch all his Redeemed home to Glory to have their fill of love . Be ye therefore followers of God , as dear Children , and walk in love , as Christ also hath loved us , and given himself for us an Offering and a Sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour , Eph. 5.1 , 2. These will demonstrate that you are Christs Disciples , John 13.35 . The Lord Jesus Christ spake these words a little before his Death , that they might be of the more force , and make the more Impression upon the Souls of his Disciples , as if he should say , Remember my dying Love , and let it live in your Bosoms as a precept and example to love one another . And this is a certain Character of Love to Jesus Christ , when we love Christ's Disciples for Christ's sake , not because we are of the same mind in our Judgment , but because we are Christ's Disciples , and bear his Image ; and then you may assure your selves , if you love upon such grounds , your Love will not be restrained only to each other that walk in Church-fellowship , but to all Saints as Saints , of what denomination soever they go under , which is much wanted in this day we live in . It is much to be lamented that persons Saint themselves more by their own Opinion , than by their Interest in Jesus Christ Saints should love as they are Children of one Father , and in their way to Heaven , and all that are in that way have Vnion with Christ , and are Members of one glorious Head , therefore we ought to love one another ; why should Brethren fall out by the way ? Nothing doth more manifest that the power of Godliness is in a People , than when they love for Saintship rather than for Judgment . If you read the 13th Chapter of the Corinthians , the Apostle gives the true Characters of Love . The first description of it is , That it suffereth long , that is , Not hasty to take Revenge on them that offend them , nor rash in Expressions to threaten Revenge . Secondly , It is kind , ready to do any good Office . Thirdly , Envieth not , is not troubled at the Prosperity of others , however it go with himself . Fourthly , Vaunteth not it self , doth not ambitiously glory in himself , doth labour to exalt himself . Fifthly , Not puffed up , not swelling with Conceits of himself . Sixthly , Doth not behave himself unseemly , would not do any unseemly Action , nor behave himself in an unbeseeming manner . Seventhly , Seeketh not his own , hath not an Eye to his own profit , as to make it his end , but eyes God's Glory chiefly , and the good of Zion , more than carnal Interest . Eightly , Is not easily provoked ; though there may be Passions , yet is not governed by them , it is an Evil much to be lamented : Passion so governs some , as if their Tongues were set on fire from Hell . Ninthly , Thinketh no Evil ; he would do Evil to none , nor readily take up Evil of another , to have uncharitable Thoughts of him ; he will not be ready to charge his Brother rashly upon every Report . Tenthly , Rejoyceth not in Iniquity ; he doth not rejoyce in the Faults of others . Elevently , He rejoyceth in the Truth ; he rejoyceth that Truth prospereth , and that an innocent persons Righteousness is cleared up . The Apostle in winding up the marks of it , shews it is every way excellent ; it beareth all things , believeth all things , hopeth all things ; he beareth all things , all Evils he meets withal ; he believeth all things good of his Brother , so far as Charity may not injure Truth .

There be many that account themselves to have passed from Death to Life , which fall short of those Characters of Love : We may all lament we find it so cold in our selves to them that bear Christs Name and Image . I beseech you , dearly Beloved in the Lord , be much in Love , and you will be much in God , for God is Love : To be a loving Saint is a sign of a lively Saint ; many Waters cannot quench the fire of Love .

Eightly , Let me beseech you in the Name of the Lord , that you would set up Godliness in your Families ; we can never expect Holy Assemblies while Godliness is neglected in Families . Children and Servants not being instructed at home , is a great cause of their being unprofitable under the Word preach'd . Godly Instruction is too much neglected both to Children and Servants by Professors in our Age ; I am afraid there are some that scarce a savoury Word drops from their Lips all the Week to their Family . How can it be thought that unsavoury Spirits ever got good to their own Souls ! They that keep all to themselves it is to be feared have got little for themselves ; the good Man brings forth good Treasure , new and old . Let me intreat you , dear Christians , whatsoever station you are in , whether Parents or Masters , whether Children or Servants , that you do not neglect private Prayer twice in the day at least ; if you have opportunity to pray oftner , do not slip such fair seasons . The Mother would think the Sucking Child not well if it should forsake the Breast a whole day ; so mayest thou think thy Soul is not right , that can pass a day without craving any Spiritual Repast in Prayer . Mr. Gurnal ' s Compleat Christians Armour . If you neglect private prayer , do not expect to thrive in Godliness ; God gives his Alms at Wisdoms Gate : And let me beseech you that are Parents or Governors , keep up publick Prayer in your Families , look to it , that you are not numbred among the cursed Families that call not upon the Name of the Lord . The private House is the Christians Chapel of ease to Worship God in daily with his Family : The Church begun in a Fanily , and is upheld still by the Piety of private Families . If the Nursery be not preserved , the Orchard must needs in time decay . We cannot expect that Family to thrive in Godliness , where publique Prayer is neglected . What praying persons might some Children or Servants have been , had they been called to that Duty by Parents or Masters when they were under their Government ! Methinks if persons love their own Souls , it should cause them to love and pity the Souls about them . It would be great Cruelty in Parents to spend all they get upon themselves , and let their Children starve . Employ some of that Talent that you have got for the furtherance of their Salvation : Should not you be willing that they should find the way to Heaven as well as your selves ? they have as precious Souls as you , and if you have tasted sweetness in drawing nigh to God , will you deal so unkindly to hinder your Family of partaking of the Blessing with you ? If you complain of your weakness in parts , or Bashfulness makes you backward to this Duty , I answer , It is not your weakness in parts will be any hindrance of your Prayer's Acceptance with God , nor will it prevent a Blessing from your Family ; God looks at the uprightness of your Hearts , not at the excellency of your Expressions ; but if you would study your own and Families Souls wants , you would as well know how to go about this Duty , as you know in their necessities in the World , how to go about your worldly business to maintain them , and supply their outward wants . And as for Bashfulness , if your Children were perishing for Bread , you would put on Courage to beg with them , rather than let them perish ; how much more should you put on Courage to go with your prishing Childrens and Servants Souls to the Throne of Grace to beg Grace for them , as ever you would have your Family thrive under the Publick Ministry , as ever you would have them in their Duty toward God and your selves , as you would have obedient Children and faithful Servants , as ever you would have your Children and Servants separated from a vain , wicked World , as ever you would bless God that you were their Masters or Parents in a dying hour , keep up constant and publick Prayer with them in your Family .

Ninthly , Let me intreat you to love the Truth for Truths sake ; think not the worse of it because most undervalue it ; let not their low esteem of the Truths of Christ damp your Affections to it ; enquire not who is on your side , before you take it up , as the Pharisees did , Have any of the Rulers believed on him ? Some , if they have not the most and highest on their side , think Truth not worth their owning . It is the misery of many , they never made their Faith nor Religion their own ; what is accounted best among men is always best to them ; it is what Men teach that are accounted best by the most of people they most adhere to , more than they will to the Truths of Christ , though the best Men teach them . They that are most for Sinners Good , are not counted good with Sinners ; they that preach Christ freely to the worst of Sinners , are accounted the worst of Men : Though Truth is come to a bad Market , and sold at a low rate , and few Buyers , I beseech you have never the lower Esteem of it , buy it as your choicest Crown ; if you hold fast the Crown of Truth , when Christ comes he will give you a Crown of Glory . Many , I am perswaded , that are convinced of the Truth , do not own it , because it goes in a mean dress : Many will hold with every thing the Church that they are of holds , though they know nothing aright they hold : Such are for Performance or Omission , they will do as others do , but nothing from a right Principle : Beg of the Lord that you may see the Beauty and Glory that is in the Truths of Christ , that you may highly prize Truth , when you suffer the greatest Reproaches and Evils for owning the same .

Love Truth for its own sake , honour it for Christ's sake , commend it for others sake , follow it for your own sake .