SOME have disputed, whether the In [...]vention of Printing and Guns, hav [...] done more harm than good. I sha [...] not determine. Only this I dare sa [...] that where Guns hath slain their thousands, th [...] Press hath slain its ten thousands. And th [...] [...] kind of slaughter is more deplorable because it reaches to mens Souls. Of this m [...]sery there will be no end, while Controversies tak [...] up our time, or Novelties take with our fancy ▪ haveing now some leasure (whereof, as eve [...] a Heathen said, I must give an account) bethought my self, wherein I might be mos [...] servicable to my generation, and bring mos [...] glory to my God and Saviour. Therefor [...] knowing that the Press will reach those wh [...] are otherwise out of my reach, I resolved [...] some lesser piece first, to make an essay how any thing of mine would pass in the world▪ And thinking it presumption (yea something worse) to transcribe, and pick both method▪ matter, and words, out of other authors, pre­tending a new treatise upon a beaten argu­ment, which others had better handled before▪ finding also by experience, that some [...] [Page] heedless Writers have done the Church more [...]ser [...]ice, by taking off the minds of men from [...] ancient Authors, than real service by putting [...] truth only into a finer mode; I did therefore c [...]clude, to except of that for my theam, whic [...] all Divines (for ought I can find) have [...] with one consent left untoucht, as if they ha [...] bequeathed it to me to handle. So that [...] hope, all ingenious Readers will be mor [...] candid to me, whatever imperfections thei [...] critical eyes may here discover, considering that I could not plow with another mans He [...]fer, nor boast in another mans Line of thing made ready to my hand. And I hope, [...] among the many women with child, it may light into the hands of some, that are seirous humble, and teachable; whom I would intreat to peruse it deliberately, (if they please) a chapter in a day, seconding it with Medi [...]tation and Prayer; and if they thus [...] through it in order, I question not, but if [...] never hear of them, yet God shall soon hea [...] their voice of thanksgiving, for some benefi [...] by it. We know that their dangers are ma [...]ny, that their dayes are frequently shortned by travel, that their souls are precious and therefore how precious should be to us an [...] oppertunity, of aquainting them with God with their duty to him, to their own souls and to the children they go with. Surely our Relation to, or Aquaintance with some of them, our Christian compassion that we [Page] owe to all of them, doth oblige us, not [...] to wi [...]h their happy deliverance, but, as [...]casion is offered, to promote their prepara [...]on for travel.

Sure I am, that all big-bellyed women [...] need to remember themselves, and to consider [...] things that belong to their peace before they be [...] from their eyes. For if women will make [...] other preparation for Lying in, than [...] is common, if they only get Linnen and [...] necessaryes for the child, a nurse, a midwi [...]e, ent [...]tainment for the women that are called to the Labour, a [...] convenient chamber, &c.

Which things I confess every one accordin [...] [...] [...]heir ability should be mindful of, in tim [...] her as I have shewed in a distinct Chapter [...] this Book, Women in this condition shou [...] be very careful of their bodies while they a [...] with child, and very careful of providing [...] Possible helps and conveniences against the [...] Lying in. But all these may prove misera [...]ble comforters, they may perchance need n [...] other linnen shortly but a Winding sheet, an [...] have no other chamber but a grave, [...] neighbours but worms; or if they be delivere [...] while yet they retain such unwillingness o [...] mind to prepare for death, (as we say of al [...] other deliverances granted to the ungodly) they are delivered in anger not in favour, with Gods curse not with his blessing, and are (in al [...] [...]ikelyhood) reserved to the greater condem [...]nation when their Sin is Ripened. Whereas [Page] [...] Would seek the Lord while he may be found, if they would mind diligently the one thing necessary, if they would speedily fly to Christ for refuge, then they are safe; for whether they live or die their souls cannot mis­ [...]arry. But [...] these things I have spoken more at large in the Book it self.

Only I would beg leave in this second E­ [...]ition to interpose some short admonition to [...]e Husbands and Friends of those to whom [...]is Book is directed. And did not daily and [...]d experience promulge it, that too man [...] Husbands need some rememberance of their [...]uty, I would not have been so importune as to say any thing of it. [...] [...]erefore intreat their Christian [...] [...]ellows, to remember, that seeing they know not how momentous their pregnancy is, and how much may depend on this fruit of the Womb which she is now burthened with; th [...] they would with all good conscience addre [...] [...]hemselves to know and fulfil their relativ [...] [...]uties. This they all owe to their wives by common bonds of conjugal fidelity; much more to faithful, godly, loving, deserving wives, by the stronger bond of gratitude to God from whom they obtained so great a favour as the injoyment of her person, and this additional testimony of his blessing on their matrimonial union, the child in [...] womb.

[...] becomes them therefore at all times bu [...] [Page] now more, to put on, as the elect of God [...] and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humb [...]ness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, foabearin [...] one another, forgiving one another; as Christ fo [...]gave, so aso do ye▪ col 3.12, 13. Now put o [...] charity (or love,) now let the peace of Go [...] rule in your hearts unto which you are cal [...]led, and be ye thankful, now let all bitte [...]ness, wrath, anger, clamour, and evil spea [...]ing, be put a way from you; and no [...] dwell with her as a man of knowledg: an [...] this end, Let the word of Christ dwell in yo [...] in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing her, an [...] praising God with her in Psalms and Hymns, an [...] Spiritual Songs. These practises will caus [...] her to submitt to you as it is fit in the Lord [...] and inable you to Love your wife, aad not t [...] be bitter against her. v. 18, 19.

But especialy let your Supplications for he [...] [...]e made known to God, in this time of need [...]or though too few there are that pray at all of those few yet a fewer number apprehen [...] any need of Prayer for them, till the very hour of travail, yet among those that ar [...] acquainted with God 'tis known (and [...] wish it were more knowne even among [...]hem) how much afflictions are sweetned blessings multiplyed, mercies sanctified, the [...]oke made easie, and piety much promoted, by this practice, of praying privately with their wives: For which Mr Rob. Bolto [...] [...] so famous, who prayed six times every day, [Page] [...]wice in secret, twice with his wife, and [...]wice with his family. This will doubtless [...]ye the band of love with an indissoluble not, and cause them to live as heirs together [...]f the grace of life. And this I especially [...]ommend to them at this time.

You should likewise implore the prayers of Ministers and other Christians for them, of which we have in the City of London (and [...]ther places where piety flourishes) frequent [...]nd happy examples▪ and those that have [...]eared much they should not do well, have [...]ound in this and other cases, that there are [...]et some in the world whose effectual fervent [...]rayers do avail much, of which they have [...]aused publick acknowledgments to be made [...] the Congregations of Gods people.

These things being duely performed, th [...] [...]esser duties will follow of themselves, as [...] tenderness of her health, protection, quiet, & [...] tranquillity, a bearing with her infirmitie [...] promoting her chearfulness and content i [...] all fit and lawful wayes and allowing her i [...] such odd weaknesses as accompany that con [...]dition. For women are alwayes of strong passions and affections, quickly sensible o [...] kindness, or unkindness; but in this conditi [...]on, especially of unkindnness, because of acc [...]dental melancholy from obstrustions, hyst [...]rical vapours, many pains and illnesses, an [...] sad apprehensions of the burthen they carr [...] and the hazard they are in, under all whic [...] [Page] [...]is imposible to be in in so good a humou [...] [...]s at other times; for which therefore a pro [...]portionable allowance must in prudence be given, as they themselves desire or expect the [...]ike favour to themselves in their own sick [...]ness, wherein all men are lyable to many absurdities, and troublesome humours.

As for such wretches as pretending to be [...]he head of the wife, yet take no like care of her as the head of the meanest member [...]ffected with any distemper, that have no [...]egard to these or other rela [...]ive duties, as e­very season calls for them, but like Nabal are perpetually chu [...]lish, and bitter, and care not [...]f their wives perish; what shall I say or what can I say bad enough of them? They [...]re Devils or Monsters and not Men, for no Man ever yet hated his own flesh; or if they are [...]en, yet the basest of men, worse than infi­ [...]els that provide not for their own family, no [...]ot the choicest and nearest part of his fa­ [...]ily, his own wife. But I leave them either [...]o the grace of God to convert them, or to [...]he wrath of God to cut them off; Psal. 18 [...]5, 26. for with the merciful he will shew [...]imself merciful and with the upright he will [...]ew himself upright, with the pure he will shew [...]imself pure, and with the froward he will [...]ew himself froward.

And now, Reader, to conclude. You must [...] expect the complements of some writers, [...]hat I should extenuate the worth of this Book [Page] [...]because 'tis mine) or tell the Reader that it i [...] [...]nworthy of his view, needs his pardon; & wa [...] [...]rrested from me by the importunities of no man nows who, that else I should above all thing [...] [...]ave shun'd to appear in Print, &c No, Let such [...]issemblers study a truer Apology for their false Apologie. When they have said never so much [...]o their own disparagement, who belives them? Neither can I understand, how any honest man can Print a Book, and yet profess that [...] thinks none will be the wiser or better for [...]eading of it. Let me therefore only say this, [...]hat I have in this piece, as Small as it is, [...]aken pains, and well considered of what I have written. The matter is generally Scrip [...]ural, and there is that truth of God in it, tha [...] [...]ommands your Christian regard. And God [...]s my witness, how often I implored Hi [...] [...]ssistance in composing it, and His blessing [...]n it when finished. That my Labour will b [...] [...]ccepted of the Saints is my greatest hope, bu [...] [...]or Prai [...] or commendation from others, [...]im not sollicitous. In a word, I send i [...] abroad with this confidence, that it will, b [...] Gods Blessing, do good to some. And I have this assurance, that there is nothing in it tha [...] can be hurtful to any, that will either rightly take it, or let it alone. Farewell in the Lord▪