therein, each of them will afford us an awful or a delightful prospect, with lessons for special improvement. The worthy author of this collection, whom I have long known with esteem and honour, has chosen to reduce all the most useful and important promises of the word of God into order, and set them before us here. These are the most powerful motives to duty; these are the constant food of a living Christian, as well as his highest cordials in a fainting hour. And in such a world as this, where duties perpetually demand our practice, and difficulties and trials are ever surrounding us, what can we do better than to treasure up the Promises in our hearts, which are the most effectual persuasives to fulfil the one, and sustain the other. Here are laid up the true riches of a Christian, and his highest hopes on this side heaven. The materials which are collected here are all divine, and the disposition of them is elegant and regular; so that it is an easy matter to find something suited to the frame of our souls or our present wants, on every occasion; and that soul who knows what a suitable promise is worth in an hour of darkness or temptation, will never think such a work as this, and such a various treasure, can have sufficient value set upon it. : Those who have little leisure for reading may find their account in keeping this book always near them and with the glance of an eye, they may take in the riches of grace and glory, and derive many a sweet refreshment from hence, amidst their labours and travels through this wilderness. It is of excellent use to lie on the table in a chamber of sickness, and now and then to take a sip of the River of Life, which runs through it in a thousand little rills of peace and joy. May the Holy Spirit of God, who indited all these Promises, and our blessed Mediator, who by his ministry and by his blood has sealed and confirmed them all, render them every day more and more powerful and prevalent, to draw the hearts of men towards God, and to fit them for the enjoyment of these words of grace in their complete accomplishment in glory. Amen. I. WATTS. Newington, Jan. 19, 1750. |