In reading this little work, (_not only to read but to meditate_,) you will see the great disappointments that there is in those things, [_the riches of this world_.] which men put their trust. Oh! reader, art thou of that unhappy number? if thou art, delay no longer, but go to JESUS CHRIST, who is the fountain of durable riches, and take with thee the words of the _Poët_? "whom have I in heaven but thee that can thy creature bless? what were all the Earth to me, if a stranger to thy peace? all is vanity but CHRIST, pain and darkness, and dispair, rankling in a sinner's breast, till thou art present there." Art thou in prosperity, be Joyful, and praise thy GOD; art thou in adversity, consider: for GOD hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. Be not as those, which through weakness of faith, dare not trust their GOD, whensoever in poverty or distress; for I never knew of any that trusted in GOD, and were yet confounded; He surely will supply the wants of all those who being sensible of their sins, groan after him: and lo, (_says CHRIST_) I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Read, and read again this book, that thou mightest know, that wheresoever GOD hath a child, there will his eyes be, and that to protect him; though he may run to a certain degree of sins and wickedness, but at last He will snatch him as a bran from the eternal burning, and let him know, that it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of his good pleasure to shew mercy. "Oh! had not GOD shown his mercy to me, where should I have been? in the broad road that leads to everlasting misery, yea in the dark and dolesome dungeon of dispair, without a glimmering ray of hope; everlastingly bewailing my miserable destiny." See how the words of the holy prophet prove true to my case; "I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not." Oh! if ever I am so happy as to reach within a blessed view of the happy possession of saints, what a debtor shall I be to mercy and free grace alone; to save such an ungovernable and unwilling creature as I: "Oh! my soul it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks[1]! thou, who hast so long despised, rejected, and set at nought the commandments of GOD, art now through thy SAVIOUR'S obedience and blood brought to know the way of Salvation." [1] I allude this passage to a Ship going straightways against the wind; for it is no more in the power of a sinner to resist the will and mercies of GOD, than it is possible for a Ship to go straightways against the wind.