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in his soul, he can rejoice in tribulation, Rom. v. 3, sing in prison, Acts xvi. 25, solace himself in death, Psa. xxiii. 4, and comfort his heart against principalities and powers, tribulation and anguish, height and depth, things present and things to come, Rom. viii. 38, 39. This true happiness, which all men desire, (but most miss it, by mistaking the way conducing to it,) is the subject-matter of this book. Here you may learn the right way of peace, Rom. iii.; how a man may do every day's duty conscientiously, and bear every day's cross comfortably. Receive it thankfully, and read it carefully.

'But this course is too strict.'

In bodily distempers we account that physician the wisest and best, who regards more the health than the will of his patient. The carpenter squares his work by the rule, not the rule by his work. O miserable man, what an antipathy against truth is in thy cursed corrupted nature, which had rather perish by false principles, than be saved by receiving and obeying the truth! But secondly, as it is strict, so it is necessary, and in that case, strictness does not blunt, but sharpen the edge of industry to duty, therefore, saith our Saviour, Strive to enter in at the strait gate, Luke xiii. 34; that is, therefore strive to enter because the the gate is strait. Bradford well compared the way of religion to a narrow bridge, over a large and deep river; from which, the least turning awry is dangerous. We see into what a gulf of misery Adam plunged himself, and his posterity, by stepping aside from God's way. Therefore forget not these rules of the apostle: "Walk circumspectly, and make straight paths to your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way," Eph. v. 15. Heb. xii. 13.