A request to the Rich.

THis Book was intended for the use
of Poor Families which have neither
money to buy many, nor time
to read them: I much desired
therefore to have made it shorter;
But I could not do it, without
leaving out that, which I think they cannot well
spare. That which is spoken accurately and in
few words, the ignorant understand not: And
that which is large, they have neither money,
leisure nor memory to make their own. Being
unavoidably in this streight, the first remedy lyeth
in your hands; I humbly propose it to you for the
souls of men, and the comfort of your own, and
the common good, on the behalf of Christ, the
Saviour of your souls and theirs, that you will bestow
one Book (either this or some fitter) upon as
many poor families as you well can. If every
Landlord would give one to every poor Tenant
that he hath, once in his life, out of one years

A 3

rent, it would be no great charge in comparison
of the benefit which may be hoped for, and in
comparison of what Prodigality consumeth. The
price of one ordinary dish of meat, will buy a
Book: And to abate for every Tenant, but one
dish in your lives, is no great Self-denyal. If
you indeed lay out all that you have better, I
have done. If not, grudge not this little, to
the poor, and to your selves: It will be more
comfortable to your review, when the reckoning
cometh, than that which is spent on Pomp, and
Ceremony, and superfluities, and fleshly pleasures.
And if Landlords (whose power with their Tenants
is usually great) would also require them
seriously to read it (at least on the Lords dayes)
it may further the success. And I hope rich
Citizens, and Ladies, and rich Women, who cannot
themselves go talk to poor families, will send
them such a messenger as thus, or some fitter
Book, to instruct them, seeing no Preacher can
be got at so cheap a rate. The Father of spirits,
and the Redeemer of souls, perswade and assist us
all, to work while it is day, and serve his Love
and Grace, for our own and other mens salvation.
Amen.

Your humble Monitor,
Aug. 26. 1672

Rich. Baxter.