might have made fome amends for its having been hitherto fo much neglected.

However, according to my poor Abilities, and as little favourable Circumftances and Opportunities, I have endeavour'd fomething upon it,and that in fuch a manner, (whatever other Ornamental Accomplishments may be wanting) as I conceiv'd would become a Chriftian Difcourfe, fuch as I hope this will be found to be. I have taken fome Pains to make it fo, and fuch as it is, I commend it to the Serious and Candid Perufal of the Reader, who I hope, will accept of my good Will and well meant En

dea

deavours to ferve him, though I fhould not anfwer his Expe&tations, or fatisfie his Defires upon a Subject, which though Pra dical,is not the most cafie of any in the World to write well up

on.

That I pretend not to do, but I was willing to be as ferviceable as I could to the Interest of Chriftian Piety, which I cannot but think would be as well ferv'd by a Profeffed Treatife of Humility, as by any thing which can be done in the way of Writing. In which undertaking, tho' Mr. Allen and Dr. Pelling have been before-hand with me, yet fuppofe they have not fo exA 4 haufted

me,

if

hausted the Subject, but that there may be room enough for I were capable of filling it. How far I may agree with either of those Authors in any of my Thoughts upon this Occafion, I know not, (having not feen Mr. Allen's Book these many Years, and the other never as I know of) nor do I think it material to inquire. Only perhaps it may be convenient upon another account, that the Reader fhould perufe thefe Books with this, fince 'tis not unlikely that they may supply fome Omiffions in me, as I also possibly may in them; fo that between us all, he may not be unfurnished of a competent Confideration of the matter in hand.

I

I heartily wish that mine were fuch, and that it were now in my Power to present thee with a good Book. However, I am fure that I here offer thee a Book upon a good Subject, and fuch wherein every Reader is fure to be concern'd. And because he is fo, I have had regard to all forts of Readers in the Compofure of it, hoping that to fome of them it may do good. May Almighty God (to whom I humbly offer this Labour of mine for the good of his Church) accompany it with his Grace and Bleffing to the Spiritual Advantage and Edification of all Chriftian People, and to the Glory of his great Name.

Here

Here I thought to have ended, but before I do fo, I have one Remark to add, relating to a Paffage in the ensuing Treatife concerning Grace. Not the Thing, but the Name, which (Page the 163. of this Book) I fuppofe befides Favour, Kindnefs or good Will, to fignifie alfo the affifting Influence of the Holy Spirit inclining us to good; whereby I would not be understood to exclude the other Senfe, (fince even thofe inward affifting Influences are at the fame time allo free favours) but only to inlarge and extend the fignification of the word farther, fo as with favour, which I allow to be the more ftrict and primary fenfe