The AUTHOR to the READER
civil labours and employments depend upon the pleasure and will of God, (as all that are not atheists do acknowledge) then, certainly, your business can succeed never the worse for your endeavours to please him, upon whose pleasure it so entirely depends. I have many times lifted up my heart to heaven, whilst these papers were under my hand, for a special blessing to accompany them, when they should be in yours. If the Lord accomplish my desires by them upon your souls you shall enjoy two heavens, one here, and another hereafter. Would not that be sweet? The historian tells us, that Altitius Serarious was sowing corn in the field, when Q. Cincinnatus came to him bare-headed with letters from the senate, signifying, that he was chosen to the dictatorship. I hope the Lord will so bless and succeed these labours, that many of you will be called from holding the plough on earth, to wear the crown of glory in heaven; which is the sincere desire of Your hearty well-wisher,
JOHN FLAVEL.
The AUTHOR to the READER COME you, whose listening ears do even itch To hear the way prescrib'd of growing rich;
I'll shew you how to make your tenements Ten thousand times more worth, and yet your rents
Not rais'd a farthing; here my reader sees A way to make his dead and barren trees Yield precious fruit; his sheep, though ne'er so bad,
Bear golden fleeces, such ne'er Jason had: