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Providence of God having by your free choice placed me in this Charge wherein Iftand, I take my felf obliged to render an account to you (above any others) of this my undertaking. I have found by fad experience, in those few years I have here lived, what extream need my people have of fome fuch help as this, to be ready at hand to admonish them of those things, they are to Know, Believe, and Practise in order to their falvation: As alfo to acquaint them with fuch Scriptures (collected together under feverall Heads) as declare Gods mind and will concerning those particulars. I could not therefore fatisfie my self, without endeavouring to minifter to their neceffities in this kind according as I was able, efpecially being perfwaded that a Book of this nature left in every family might (through the blessing of God) be a very proper means of their inftruAtionfor the prefent, and might teach

them

them also hereafter, when my mouth will be stopp'd with duft. This confideration (among others) engaged me in this work; in which at first I did not intend to be fo large; but handling fuch variety of Subjects, it hath fwelled to the bulk you fee. You may perceive by the whole that the great Mafter-Builder hath appointed me to labour in the foundations. And bleffed (yea for ever bleffed) be his Holy Name, that he hath accounted me worthy to be employed any way about his fpirituall building. I fhall not need to make any apology for the plainneffe of my work, if it be but fure and well laid. Such as it is I humbly prefent unto you, as an evidence of the great defire I have (according to my poor ability) to feed the people committed to my care, with knowledge and understanding, and to guide them in the way wherein they bould go: As alfo to teftifie to the world

my great Obligations to that Religious and Eminent Society. God Almighty bleffe your Colledge with his choiceft blessings, and grant that Reall Piety, and all Ufeful Learning may flourish within your wals from Generation to Generation, This is the earnest Prayer of

North-Cadbury,
May 5th
1659.

Honoured Sirs,

Your much obli-
ged Servant,

SA. CRADOCK,

TA

ΤΟ

TO THE

INHABITANTS

OF

NORTH-CAD B U RY

in

SOMERSETSHIRE.

My loving Neighbours and Friends,

UR Blessed Saviour intending to give Peter a charge of his Lambs and Sheep, enquires firft concerning his fincere love to him, John 21, 15, 16,17. Simon fon of Jonas, lovest

thou me more than these?

be faith unto him, yea Lord, thou knoweft that I love thee: He faith unto him, feed my Lambs. V.16. He faith to him again the fecond time, Simon fonne of Jonas, loveft thou me? he faith unto him, yea Lord, thou knoweft that I love thee, he faith unto him, feed my Sheep, .17. He faid unto him the third time,

Simon fonne of Jonas, loveft thou me? Peter was grieved, because he said unto him the third time, loveft thou me? And he faid unto him, Lord, thou knoweft all things, thou knoweft that I love thee. Jefus faith unto him, feed my Sheep. Which words plainly intimate thus much unto us, that Minifters who are called to take charge of Chrifts Flock, had need of much love unto him; no fervice about them being approved, if it flow not from this fountain ( but be undertaken for by-refpects) and there being no poffibility without this love well to endure the many blafts. and ftorms they will meet with (from without) in the discharge of their calling, nor the much toil they will have, even from the flocks themselves. The truth is, the paines and labour and sufferings of the Minifterial Function are so great (where 'tis confcientiously discharged and there are fo many other waies wherein we might make our lives more comfortable (as to worldly contentments) that he must needs be a man of great ignorance and inexperience (or intends not to be over- diligent and faithful in his Ministry) that takes on him that facred Calling, meerly for temporal advantages. But whoever lifts up his heart to think how much our dear Lord and Saviour hath done for him (who endured the Croffe, and defpifed the shame to redeem mankind) and shall confider what glorious rewards he propounds to thofe who turn many to righteoufneffe, furely cannot grudge to be employed

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