Samuel Beatty Richard Baker Francis Burton Christian Blankinbury Frederick Bartholomew Robert Bogle Samuel Bucknall Timothy Caldwell James Carker Benjamin Carty John Clawges, jun. Mary Cooper Mary Crean Mr. Chabert Susanna Clarke Joseph Danby Mary Ann Derr Richard Doughterty Thomas Eustace F. George Flowery Sarah Foster Jesse Ferries Jane Ford Tobias Finkbine Elizabeth Ferguson G. William Garret John Garret John Gilbert Sarah Guyer John Gullen Henry Goldey H. Robert Henderson George Heimerdinger Matthew Hemphill John Hogbin D. Jaudon John W. Jones. K. Daniel Knight Sarah Kitts Mary Levers M. Robert Middleton Sarah Mercer Alexander M'Pherson Hester Moore Ann Morrison Elizabeth Mentige N. Mrs. Northrop Rachel Stewart Catharine Shennick Maria Stimmel John Slack. T. William Terry Sarah Tobin Henry Tagert William Flick Thompson Charles Tull, Alexander Turnbull. V. Hannah Vail, John Vollum. W. Christian Wilkinson J. Woglum Ann Witchill Samuel Wilson Moses Williams John Wartman George H. Wilson Elizabeth White PREFACE. CHRISTIAN READER, THE following Treatise contains many excellent truths, on a subject in which the Apostle had made great proficiency, and which is left on record for our imitation, that we might be followers of them who, through faith and patience, now inherit the promises. It is this that our Author has enforced, in a plain and an evangelical manner; and it's acceptance in the world evidently appears from the number of editions it has already passed through and it being almost buried in oblivion*, induced me to revise and correct it, and present it to public view; hoping that it may be made useful, in God's hands, in checking the discontent of the heart, which is too often ready to call in question the dealings of Jehovah; and that we, on the other hand, may enjoy that composure of mind and resignation to the Divine Will which Aaron, Eli, Job, and others, were blessed with, when they acknowledged and * First published in 1653, and the 14th edition so long since as 1676, and the 15th edition in 1793. submitted to the righteous dealings of God. Should the Lord make use of it, in any measure, to check the prevalence of such an epidemical sin-as our Author styles it in his Preface-my end will be fully answered; and God shall have all the glory, into whose hands I commend it and it's readers. That it may be thus owned of God, though sent forth at this time by an unworthy instrument, is the earnest prayer of your Willing Servant in the Gospel of Jesus, 79, North Eighth-street, Philadelphia. STEPHEN GERRISH. |