A Compendious Discourse About Christian Faith

The Authors desire and end in the ensuing Discourse.

GO forth, my Muse take Wings and flee,

Speak plain and true that all may see;

For none can see without a light,

Nor can they see without some sight.

All have some sight within them so,

As to discern what light do shew,

And when discerned to make choice

Of what is spoke by the Lights voice.

But without Light no man can see,

Nor can in Truth instructed be;

Most true it is, that God is Light,

The Fountain clear in whom 'tis bright,

And from that Fountain it doth shine,

In ways of his that are Divine.

The Eye within in the true sence

Has had three Books, to learn from thence;

The Works, the Law, the Gospel pure,

The Book of Life that shall endure.

To turn away from this clear Sun,

Is the right way to be undone.

This is the Light discoursed on,

And calleth for reception;

It calls aloud and cries to men,

Let it not be rejected then.

And if that some do thee traduce,

That thou returnest, with abuse

Be not afraid what e're do come,

Nor yet dismaid for any doom.

'Tis Gospel Light does in thee shine,

Therefore none can thee undermine.

Thy Dress is plain, thy Language sharp,

'Tis that thou mayst speak to the heart.

If the good end design'd by thee

Shall in some part effected be;

Which is the common good of men,

Let God have all the glory then.

And then again my heart shalt sing

With joy, the praise of Sion's King;

And this also, thy work shall be,

And that unto Eternity.

The Epistle DEDICATORY. To the Learned Doctors, Masters and Students of the two Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and to all the Learned in the Nation.

Learned SIRS,

IT's the saying of the Wise man. Prov. 4. 5. Get wisdom, get understanding, forget it not. v. 7. Wisdom is the principle thing, therefore get wisdom, with all thy gettings get understanding. v. 8. Exalt her and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her, and chap. 16. 16. How much better is it to get wisdom, than gold? And to understanding, rather to be chosen than silver? Then surely it is not wisdom to get gold and silver, but that which is far above it. Which will give to thine head (not a Crown of gold and silver, but) an Ornament of grace, a Crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

They are the great things of Divine wisdom (as revealed in the Scriptures of truth) that I have been exercised about, and of which it's said 2 Tim. 3. 15. They are able to make us wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. And therefore I have no reason to suppose you'le count it strange, or presumption, that I present the Dedication of the ensuing discourse to your learned and serious consideration. 'Tis true, it's a plain English Christian Discourse, yet the things discoursed on are the great and high things of God, and the Gospel, and therefore am not willing to doubt but you will readily grant; are such things as concern your most scrious Studies.

Though with some their Studies may be much (if not too much) about things of a lower and terrene concern (as indeed all things are, beneath the glorious Gospel of the blessed God) yet I doubt not the lawfulness of endeavours for attainments in human learning, and that both as to the Languages ◊◊ Philosophy, both in the rational, natural and moral parts thereof; though my self have little or none of either in its artificial parts: Yet, it's radically in all rational men, though it has been (and is) too much debauched and defaced, in most, by sensual lusts.

Your learned and Philosophical studies may tend to make you men of parts, and of use among men, in things of torrene concern, if not abused, and if kept subject in its place, may prove no hindrance to you (but a help) in your Divine studies, though I acknowledge not Philosophy to be the Mother of Theology, as some say. Gal. 4. 26. yet this I dare say, that without rational Philosophy (in its root) we could not be rational men, and then we could not be Christian men without a miracle indeed (as some say) it being to the rational understanding part in man that the Gospel comes, and by which it's understood and believed.

Learned Sirs,

Whatever ends you design in your studies, it concerns you all, to take in Theology and the glory of God, as the chief and glory of all things of Gospel concern, being of highest, of best, and eternal concern, and this I am sure your learning (simply considered in it self) will not hinder (but help) you in, while you keep humble and improve your acquired Talents for God.

The blessed Gospel of his grace by Jesus, being very much suted to the rational capacities of men, or else it were in vain to publish it unto them.

Though the Gospel in it self, being the Ministration of Peace by Jesus, properly relating to the general restitution, new world, new state and life, with all its Ordinances of divine worship, faith and holy life in order to preparing us for (and obtaining of) the glory, and as so, is above the reach of reason, and all the human Philosophy in the world, without the Divine revelation thereof, Rom. 10. 14. 1 Cor. 1. 21. & 2. 7, 8. but being by the Gospel revealed, and brought down and opened 〈…〉 Rom. 10. 6, 7, 8, 9. to those who believe the Scripture to be the Divine Revelation, it's rational (as well as divine) to believe God in his word, and love and cleave to him therein (which is the great and saving Faith of the Gospel) though over and above our rational capacities. He has of his own grace ordered the Gospel (which is the Divine Revelation thereof) to be the Ministration of the Spirit; 2 Cor. 3. 8. and to minister the Spirit for our help therein; Gal. 3. 2. Rom. 8. 26. yet, its so far from the Gospel to destroy our rational and moral capacities, that it tends to help and lighten us therein, though in a more Spiritual and sublime way.