re and abuse them: so that they seemed, indeed, to be
as poor sheep appointed to the slaughter, and as a people killed all the
day long.

It were fitter for a volume than a preface, but so much as to repeat the
contents of their cruel sufferings; from professors as well as from
profane, and from magistrates as well as the rabble: that it may be said
of this abused and despised people, they went forth weeping, and sowed in
tears, bearing testimony to the precious seed, even the seed of the
kingdom, which stands not in words, the finest, the highest that man's
wit can use; but in power, the power of Christ Jesus, to whom God the
Father hath given all power in heaven and in earth, that he might rule
angels above, and men below. Who empowered them, as their work
witnesseth, by the many that were turned through their ministry, from
darkness to light, and out of the broad into the narrow way of life and
peace: bringing people to a weighty, serious, and God-like conversation;
the practice of that doctrine which they taught.

And as without this secret divine power, there is no quickening and
regenerating of dead souls, so the want of this generating and begetting
power and life, is the cause of the little fruit that the many
ministries, that have been and are in the world, bring forth. O that
both ministers and people were sensible of this! My soul is often
troubled for them, and sorrow and mourning compass me about for their
sakes. O that they were wise! O that they would consider, and lay to
heart the things that truly and substantially make for their lasting
peace!

Two things are to be considered; the doctrine they taught, and the
example they led among all people. I have already touched upon their
fundamental principle, which is as the corner-stone of their fabric: and,
indeed, to speak eminently and properly, their characteristic, or main
distinguishing point or principle, viz. the light of Christ within, as
God's gift for man's salvation. This, I say, is as the root of the
goodly tree of doctrines that grew and branched out from it, which I
shall now mention in their natural and experimental order.

First, repentance from dead works to serve the living God. Which
comprehends three operations. First, a sight of sin. Secondly, a sense
and godly sorrow for sin. Thirdly, an amendment for the time to come.
This was the repentance they preached and pressed, and a natural result
from the principle they turned al