scudderpage013

THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.

The searching out of man's true happiness has exercised the wits and pens of many philosophers and divines with a different success.

1. Some, by a mistake of the end, have erred about the means. All their enterprises have ended in vanity and vexation, whilst they have caught at the shadow of fruit in a hedge of thorns, and have neglected the tree itself, whence the fruit might have been gathered with more certainty and less trouble. Man's natural corruption has so darkened his understanding, Eph. iv. 18, that in vain have the wisest men sought the happiness, which without the help of God's word and Spirit, they could never find. Acts xvii. 27. And his spiritual appetite and taste is so distempered, that he can judge of the chief good no better than a sick man can do of the best of meats.

2. Others, Eph. i. 18, having the eyes of their understanding enlightened, and their senses exercised to discern both good and evil, Heb. v. 14, have concluded, that man's true happiness consists in the soul's enjoyment of God by a holy conformity, and sweet communion with him, through Christ Jesus.