PREFACE TO THE READER.

HAVING from my childhood been a lover of the Dutch, and that love being increased by travelling in Holland and Germany, it came weightily on my mind to invite and persuade this people, (with others into whose hands this may come, and especially the youth) "To love, serve and fear the Lord, the Almighty, the great Jehovah, and that they first seek the kingdom of God, and his

ness." as Christ exhorts or commands. Mat. vi. 33.. Those ponderous and extraordinary expressions, with the large promise thereto annexed, are well worth the due notice, and weighty consideration of all, both youth and aged; but seem to be very apt to the state and condition of those that are just entering into the business and affairs of the world. Oh! that the youth had but faith in the blessed Lord Jesus, and owned his pure doctrine, now in their tender years; and in the prime of their days," That they would remember their Creator in the days of their youth, before the evil days come." Eccl. xii. 1. Oh! that in their blossoming and blooming spring time, they might be like to lovely branches, and growing trees, of righteousness, bearing much fruit, much good fruit of piety and virtue: " In which (saith our holy Lord Jesus Christ) is your heavenly Father glorified." This is the real and hearty desire of my soul, for the youth of this and all generations, male and female, yea, both young and old, in all nations throughout the world: the universal love of God flows and overflows in my soul, like a living stream, at this time, as also at many others, to all my fellow mortals. Oh! the great love of God in Christ Jesus, our great, holy, and good Father, Lord, and Master, is wonderful to mortals! whose divine love is abundantly, and also universally, shed abroad to all nations, through his

eternal spirit and grace in the hearts of the sons and daughters of men, in order to draw, lead, and guide men and women from earth to heaven.

Thus being desirous (according to my measure) to promote truth and righteousness in the earth; also being sen sible of the love, mercy and goodness of God, in my very young and tender years; I am willing, for the sake of well inclined young men and women, to send forth into the world this loving invitation: and am desirous, for the love I bear to the people of the Dutch nation, that this might be translated into the Dutch language; hoping it may be beneficial to some well inclined souls, in order to stir them up to seek, serve, and love Almighty God. Amen.

So wisheth, and heartily prayeth, a friend to, and lover of all mankind,

T. CHALKLEY.

is a thing truly excellent for mortals to love, serve, d fear him that made them, and gave unto all life and ing and to begin this work betimes, is very advangeous to the never dying soul. It is also an indispenble duty, which is incumbent upon every one, male and male; and whoever is found in neglect thereof, will rtainly have cause dearly to repent it; and unless they > repent before they go hence, and see man no more, will : miserable to all eternity. Which solid consideration, th often been weighty on my mind, and I could not be ear (as I thought) in the sight of God, without laying it efore men and women.

Now, that we may so do, consider, truth commands ›, reason persuades us, and example is very powerful d inviting. Oh! that the children of men would be ise to salvation, and embrace the love of God in his ear and well beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who imself said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." h! surely here is a threefold cord, (i. e. truth, reason, nd example), which is not easily broken: God Alighty grant (for Christ's sake) that by it some poor ouls might be drawn to him, even now in their tender ears: to day, to day, if any will hear the voice of the ord, Oh! let them not harden their hearts; for that is rovoking to him that made us. How know we whether e, who made the heavens, will be pleased to give us an

other hour? How know we, but that after this day we may never open our eyes, till we open them in eternity? Oh! eternity, eternity, that boundless ocean! who can fathom those words, for ever and ever? What will this world, and all its glories and vanities signify, or avail to poor souls, when rolling from side to side on a dying bed.

It will therefore be well for both old and young to note this:

1st. The old, because it is not likely they should have many days, according to the course of nature, and a common proverb, i. e. The young (may live, and they) may die, but the old must die.

2d. The young, because they know not but that they may die to-morrow.

In the great and notable day of the Most High, Oh! then, then, heavenly things will be found serious and solid truths, and not toys and trifles, nor indifferent things; when he shall come as in flames of fire, to render ven. geance (which is only his) upon all the workers of iniquity, and shall come to judge the secrets of men's hearts by that great man and just judge, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Wherefore, let me prevail with some poor souls, now in time, to lay the truth to heart, and to be found in the work of God in their day: that so for their pains here, they may receive their penny hereafter; and that enlivening, that quickening answer of well doing, may be their portion, and the lot (the glorious lot) of their inheritance: "Come, ye blessed; well done, good and faithful ser vant enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Oh! pow. erful voice, and heart ravishing sentence! enough make one alive, though dead; and exceedingly joyful, though sorrowful even to death. Oh! this divine fa vour and grace, wherewith the Most High will favour those that love him, and faithfully serve him, in this his great and notable day, will far exceed the favour of kings and princes: for those that get the latter, can only be happy (or so accounted) in this world, which is but momentary; and those who are living and sensible wit nesses of the former, are certainly happy, even in this