that
which it was preface to_, _in its former edition_, _may come_. _All the
several exhortations accommodated to their several states and
conditions_: _that all may answer the end of God's glory_, _and their own
salvation_.

And now, Friends, you that profess to walk in the way that this blessed
man was sent of God to turn us into, suffer, I beseech you, the word of
exhortation, as well fathers as children, and elders as young men. The
glory of this day, and foundation of the hope that has not made us
ashamed since we were a people, you know, is that blessed principle of
light and life of Christ which we profess, and direct all people to, as
the great and divine instrument and agent of man's conversion to God. It
was by this that we were first touched, and effectually enlightened, as
to our inward state; which put us upon the consideration of our latter
end, causing us to set the Lord before our eyes, and to number our days,
that we might apply our hearts to wisdom. In that day we judged not
after the sight of the eye, or after the hearing of the ear; but
according to the light and sense this blessed principle gave us, so we
judged and acted, in reference to things and persons, ourselves and
others; yea, towards God our Maker. For being quickened by it in our
inward man, we could easily discern the difference of things, and feel
what was right and what was wrong, and what was fit, and what not, both
in reference to religion and civil concerns. That being the ground of
the fellowship of all saints, it was in that our fellowship stood. In
this we desired to have a sense of one another, acted towards one
another, and all men; in love, faithfulness, and fear.

In feeling of the stirrings and motions of this principle in our hearts,
we drew near to the Lord, and waited to be prepared by it, that we might
feel drawings and movings before we approached the Lord in prayer, or
opened our mouths in ministry. And in our beginning and ending with
this, stood our comfort, service, and edification. And as we ran faster,
or fell short in our services, we made burdens for ourselves to bear;
finding in ourselves a rebuke instead of an acceptance; and, in lieu of
"Well-done," "Who has required this at your hands?" In that day we were
an exercised people, our very countenances and deportment declared it.

Care for others was then much upon us, as well as for ourselves;
especially of the young convinced. Often had we the burd