I Am not ignorant what uncharita­ble censures are cast upon these innocent Medi­tations and the Penner of them, by some turbulent spirits: I am forced to complain, as [Page]the Psalmist did in his time, Woe is me, my soule hath long dwelt among those that are enemies unto peace; I la­bour for peace, but when I speak unto them thereof, they make them ready to battel.

Some have scoffed at the whole Sermon, as a discourse unseasonable, borne out of due time, 1 Cor 15.8. as the Apostle speaks; as if a Sermon of Peace in these times of wilfull distraction, were like snow in summer, Pro. 26.1. or raine in harvest.

Others have wrested and set their own glosses and interpretations up­on some passages of the Sermon, as if they tended to the discouragement of those that have shewed them­selves willing to the work, to the en­feebling their hearts & hands. Psal. 56.5. They [Page]daily mistake my words, all that they imagine is to doe me evill.

But blessed be God who comforteth us in all our tribulations: 2 Cor. 1.4. I have deli­vered my message, and so discharged my conscience. And though I have not every where met with the son of peace, Luk. 10.5, 6. yet my peace is returned to me againe, I have it in my bosome.

As for their unjust censures, I weigh them no more then I deserve them: Malè de me luquutus es, Seneca. quia benè loqui nescis, Some men speake evill of their neighbours, because they know not how to speak well of any man. Hoc facis, non quod merear, sed quod soleas, This they doe, not because their neighbour deserves it at their hands, but because it is their custome so to doe; The poyson of asps [Page]is under their lips, Rom. 3.13. and their mouth full of cursing and bitternesse. Virg. Et si non aliqua nocuisses, mortuus esses, And if they should not spit out some of this venome, Psal. 52.5. and speak some words that may doe hurt, they were not able to live. 2 Tim. 3.8. Jannes and Jambres are so full of the spirit of contradiction, that they cannot containe themselves. Ambitious Diotrephes (that looks for the preheminence) wil be prating, 3 Ep. John ver. 9, 10. and darting out malicious words a­gainst those Disciples that preach love and peace. That nick-name which the Philosophers gave Saint Paul at Athens, Act. 17.18. must be his livery that preacheth any thing dissonant from these mens fancies, [...], What will this babler say?

VVell, Psal. 12.3 let them goe on, their [Page]tongues are their owne: Let Shimei curse (saith David) who can tell if the Lord will look upon my affliction, 1 Sam. 16.12. and do me good for his cursing this day? However we in these dayes are not the first that have tasted of this cup, we may take the Prophets and Apo­stles for patterns of patience, Ja. 5.10. exam­ples of suffering in the same kind, & the Lord of the Prophets too, for in the dayes of his flesh, Luc. 16.14. when hee was upon earth, some derided and carp­ed at his Preaching, as many doe at his Prayer now adays.

Beloved Christian, into whose hands these thoughts of Peace shall come, reade them over without pre­judice, Act. 21.24. & thou shalt see that the things whereof thou hast been informed con­cerning them and me, are nothing. My [Page]desire in publishing these Meditati­ons, is to give thee satisfaction, and withall direction also to lead thy life in peace, Psal. 34.13. that thou mayst see good dayes, and at the end of thy dayes, when thy pilgrimage shal be expired, thou mayst with old Simeon depart in peace: Luk. 2.29. And so the God of peace, Phil. 4.7. and the peace of God which passeth all un­derstanding, keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.