THE PUBLISHER TO THE READER. How much the glory of God and the salvation of men is con- cerned in the right understanding of his goodness, in all his ways and counsels towards them, is evidently seen by all that have any true notion of the Divine Excellency and man's felicity. God's goodness is his most solemnly proclaimed name and glory. It is his goodness duly known,, that leads sinners to repentance, and unites their hearts to fear his name, and excites, and forever ter- minates, that love which is our holiness and happiness to eternity. It is also too well known, how much this amiable Divine Goodness is denied or doubted of. What cavils are raised against it by men bfcorrupt minds ! What secret prejudice lies against it, and how deeply rooted in our depraved nature ! Yea, with how fearful suggestions and apprehensions are some godly Christians (espe- cially those that lie in the darkness of melancholy) sometimesper- plexed about it ! And even such as are grounded and settled in it, are liable tobe assaulted, and may sometimes stagger and stum- ble at it. And indeed, though the, kindness of God towards men bath appeared in the world, as visible as the sun in the firmament, yet man's darkened understanding, and his connate sensuality and selfishness, taking occasion from the more mysterious parts of prov- idence, and those especially that most contradict the wisdom and interest of the flesh, hath caused disputes,and raised doubts, against the truth of that which is in itself as clear and sure as that there is a God or a world, or any thing existent. Whereupon this author was earnestly desired, by a friend, to collect some principles in a narrow compass, that might silence cavilers, succor the tempted, and confirm the sound mind. And for these ends they are, with his permission, by his friend made public ; Hoseaxiv. 9. "Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them ? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the jukt shall walk in them ; but the transgressors shall fall therein." April 27, 1671.
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