Heaven and Earth Reconciled, Title page – Dedication
HEAVEN and EARTH Reconcil'd.
A Sermon preached at Saint Paules Church in Bedford, October. 3. 1612. At the visitation of the right Wor. M. Eland, Archdeacon of Bedford. By Tho. Adams Minister of the Gospell at Willington.
1. Corinth. 5.19.
For God was in Christ, and reconciled the world to himselfe, not imputing their sinnes vntounto them, and hath committed to us the word of Reconciliation.
LONDON, Printed by W.W. for Clement Knight, and are to be sold at his Shop in Paules Church-yard at the signe of the holy Lambe. 1613.
To the right Honourable Lord HENRY Earle of Kent, Lord of Hastinge, Weisford, and Ruthyn.
RIGHT HONORABLE,
I Know not vnderunder whose winges I might better shelter an Apologie for the Ministrie, then vnderunder your Honours, who hauehave euer liued a ready Patron to defend vsus from the oppositions and wronges of our Aduersaries; making them no friendes to your selfe, that are enimies to the Gospell: wherein you hauehave procured some (blessed) trouble to your selfe, by frequent complaintes; deserued great louelove of your Countrey, and secured your Soule of an eternall recompence: Let it be your prayse, happinesse, comfort, that you hauehave (not onelyonly not liued in opposition to the Trueth, as our refractary Papistes: nor in the luke-warme Neutrallitie of this age, that conceiues a mixt Religion, compounded of Syon's and Babilon's; nor thought it enough to countenaunce Preachers, as some that would make God beholding to them for their lookes; but you hauehave) stoode to, seconded, succoured, and (which is yet a higher testimony) relieued, many a distressed Seruant of the Lord, not with Micha's wages, or pittances of Charitie, but with ample Rewardes, worthy your Honour's bountie to giuegive, and their necessitie to receiue. Let all these true and happy reasons plead for, and (somewhat) iustifie my ambition, that hauehave dared to looke so high for Patronage, at your Honour: Worthier Pennes hauehave contented themselues with meaner Protections: It is not the excellencie of the worke, but the Noblenesse of your disposition, that incourageth me, who am thence prompted, not to feare your acceptation. You that hauehave been s… gener…ll… Shadow of Refreshing to Ministers, take from me all cause to distrust your fauour: specially in the countenauncing of that written, which you hauehave euer actually and really furthered. Proceede (most honoured Lord) to affect the Trueth, (yet) more zelously, by your helpe to support it, by your fauour to protect it: so shall you make blessed vse of that Honour, God hath heere inuested you withall, and interest your selfe to the honour of Heauen: and whiles Nobilitie without Religion dyes in infancie, and is buried in the graue of Obliuion, your Noble zeale, or zealous Noblenesse, shall liue heere to your Makers glory, and the Churches comfort: and hereafter leaue behind it a neuer-decaying monument of Honour; which if the ingratitude of men should forget, shall neuer passe the hand of God, vnrewarded with glory. This Booke salutes your Honour with the New yeare: may they both giuegive you happie content. The God of mercies multiply his fauours and graces on you, and make your Cuppe to runne ouer with his blessinges.
Your Honour's humbly deuoted, Tho. Adams.