Transcribed from the 1813 R. Thomas edition { 0} by David Price, email [email protected]
Published by Desire—and addressed to all whom it may concern.
SAVIOUR.—_Ye Serpents_, _ye Generation of Vipers_.
HOSEA iv, 8.—_They eat up the Sin of my People_, _and they set their heart on their Iniquity_.
JEREM.—_Against him that bendeth let the Archer lend his Bow_.
Printed by R. THOMAS, RED LION STREET, Borough.
_TO the Church of Jesus Christ_, _who are loved with an everlasting love_, _chosen in Christ before all worlds_—_redeemed by the blood of the Lamb_—_and effectually called out of darkness into marvellous light_; _led by the providence of God to attend the ministry of so unworthy an instrument as myself_, _to whom God has made my labors useful_, _and profitable for reformation_, _conviction_, _conversion_, _building up_, _and spiritual consolation_. _Having been much tried and perplexed by men of corrupt minds_, _who have long endeavoured to prejudice me_, _with a view to separate us one from the other_, _but they have hitherto failed_—_having grace given you to continue with me in my temptations_, _to abide in the furnace of affliction with me_, _and to stand in the evil day_. _The good hand of God_, _restoring a degree of peace to us_, _so that we can pass to our Meeting Place of Worship unmolested_,—_I think it right_, _and that I am in duty bound_ (_though you have not demanded it_) _to make a few general remarks upon the subjects which have agitated the public_, _and not a little distressed your minds_.
_I wish you most decidedly to bear in mind thro’ the whole of this performance_, _that I write only for your sakes_—_I write not for the worldling_, _whose heart is set on the things of time and sense_, _who_, Gallio _like_, _cares for none of these things_, _except it be to pass an unpleasant sneer at us_.—_I write not for the proud Pharisee_, _or the mere Formalist_, _who have a name to live and are dead_—_I write not for Hypocrites_, _whose end will be according to their work_, _and who are a perpetual plague to the Household of Faith_—_Wolves in Sheep’s cloathing_, _who cover the vilest principles and conduct with the garb of apparent holiness_!—_but I write for those who know the plague of the heart_; _the vanity of the world_; _the emptiness of the creature_; _the danger of a form of godliness without the power_; _the spirituality of God’s most holy Law_; _the preciousness of a dear Redeemer_; _the power of the word_; _the manifestation of the atonement_. _These characters so graciously taught_, _must be under the influence of divine love_—_the remnant that shall not do iniquity_, _nor speak lies_—_neither is a deceitful tongue found in their mouths_; _but they feed on the bread of eternal life_, _and can not be satisfied without it_. _To these Characters I dedicate this book_; _and not doubting but it will procure me many foes_, _and stir up that carnal enmity which they are the slaves of_, _for them I would put up that charitable prayer of our Lord_, “_Father forgive them_;”—_and of you I would use the fine language of the blessed Apostle_—_And now_, _Brethren_, _I commend you to God_, _&c._—_Acts xx_.