[Illustration: PHILLIPS]
The Trustees of Phillips Academy, to whom is committed the distribution
of the pious bounty of the late Lt. Gov. PHILLIPS wishing to co-operate
in the same benevolent and useful design, affectionately recommend this
inestimable book to the serious and careful perusal of every person into
whose hands it may fall.
Reader, whoever thou art, the work before you is the production of one
of the ablest and best of men, whose praise is in all the churches.
Though dead, he is instructing thousands by his numerous and excellent
practical writings, which have survived him. Among these, his _Saints'
Rest_, has been most highly esteemed. He wrote it in the near view of
death, when in feeble health, and for his own immediate use; and he
testifies that he derived "more benefit from it, than from all the other
studies of his life." Few books have ever received higher commendations,
been translated into more languages, passed through more numerous
editions, been more read, or more useful in the Christian church than
this. No person of a serious mind can read it without profit.
"To _allure our desires_, it unveils the sanctuary above, and discovers
the glories and joys of the blessed in the Divine presence, by a light
so strong and lively, that all the glittering vanities of this world
vanish in the comparison, and a sincere believer will despise them, as
one of mature age does the toys and baubles of children. To _excite our
fears_, he removes the screen, and represents the tormenting passions of
the damned in those dreadful colors, that, if duly considered, would
check and control the unbridled licentious appetites of the most
sensual[397]."
Reader, the book is in your hands, read, meditate, and then judge for
yourself. May the Lord bless the instructions for your spiritual
benefit. So will the good design of the pious donor be answered, and the
Agents of his bounty have their desired reward.
[Footnote 397] _Dr. Bates._