The Doctrine of Fasting and Prayer, Dedication
TO HIS MOST WORTHY, AND MVCH HONOVRED PAtrone Master William Cokayne, Merchant, at his house in Austine Fryers in London.
SIR,
I Hope the world will not blame me, for increasing the crowd of Englishwriters, with which, it is so much troubled: nor censure me of folly for thrusting this little Booke into the throng, where it is like to be smoothered, if I may be admitted to put in this plea. To the first, that as a dutifull sonne, in honour of my deare fathers Name and memory, I strive for some place for this Monument, which may be some meanes to perpetuate the same in Gods Church: as a faithfull Executor, I am carefull to discharge this part of his (though but nuncupative) will, to endeavour the publishing of this, and some other of his Workes, which himselfe intended and had prepared for the presse▪ To the latter, I plead, that though it be in it selfe but small, yet will it finde in the throng, a booke to which it is neerely allyed, a childe of the same Authors braine and heart (the Lectures on Saint Iohn 4.) which having found free and speedy passage, will make way for this, and easily procure it welcome and entertainment, where it selfe hath found the like; and I presume elsewhere also: for somuch as the company of this may be procured at a farre easier charge then the former, and as it hath one already to lead the way, so (God willing) ere long (I hope) it shall be seconded by another of later b…th, but greater growth. It no way becometh me to commend this, or any other worke of his (let me rather strive to imitate him my selfe, then to commend him, or any thing of his to others) his very name will commend them. And least under that name, the reader should suspect he may bee abused: I heere solemnly promise, that what is or shall be▪ by me published under his name, shall not be loose notes (that have beene taken by some ignorant Scribe) nor shall it be made up with additions, and alterations of my owne▪ bu… the Copies under his owne hand carefully transcribed.
And as for publishing these Sermons, I have good reason, so for dedicating them, to your selfe. The occasion of them was that heavy Visitation, which was then upon your City; the drift of one part of them, was to moove his auditors, to commiserate the (then) wofull estate of it, to you therefore as a Citizen (of no meane note) have I directed them, but principally to you as my Patrone I have not, nor expect anything of mine owne worthy publique view: this I owne not as Authour, but as Heire to the Authour: and it being in mine hands, I thought it my duty (being the first booke▪ I had to dispose of) to present it first into those hands, which freely bestowed the Presentation to this Parsonage upon me. I have beene for above these foure yeeres, covetous of some faire opportunity to witnesse to the world, my thankfull acknowledgement of your favour to me; and to give publique testimony of your worthy and exemplary integrity, in discharging the trust reposed in you (to dispose of this Benefice) without respect to your owne gaine, or pleasuring of your friends, neglecting bribes of breath or money. You intended not to enrich your selfe by this part of the Churches Patrimony, nor to make up other losses by gaining by this. It was your care not onelyonly to shunne the grievous sinne of Simony and corruption, but to avoide all suspition of it, you passed by the neere relation of kindred, the importunate solicitation of freinds, the mediation of great Personages, and were pleased in your choice to crave the direction of your pious, learned and most industrious Pastour, the great blessing and ornament of your City and Parish: his love (which I may never forget, though I shall not in any degree requite) induced him to nominate mee, your confidence in his judgement and uprightnesse, made you upon his commendation to make choice of mee a meere straunger, for your Clarke. Never had any Parson or Parish more cause thankfully to acknowledge the religious care, and pious integrity of a Patrone, then wee heere have: or take any occasion to lay this your good worke open to wide report, and to propound you as a patterne, to them that are entrusted with such charges. I doe and shall praise GOD, as long as I live, for raising you (beyond my thoughts and expectations) an instrument of so great good to mee: by your meanes hee hath freed mee from those snares, wherein many of our coate are (in these corrupt times) intangled▪ I doe not eate the bread of (either direct or indirect) Simony, but that which by GODS providence, your uncorrupt hand hath reached out to mee, a morsell of which will give mee more content, then abundance of the former sort. I doubt not, but GOD will aboundantly requite your kindnesse to his house, that hee will blesse you in your Merchandise, and exchanges, who have beene so carefull not to make Merchandise of the Soules of men, or to make sale of the Patrimony of the Church, and portion of GODS Ministers; that hee will continue and increase your comfort in your hopefull children, who have beene so faithfull a Guardian to this people; but principally that hee will blesse you in your Soule with Spirituall and Heavenly graces and comfort, the meanes of which, you have beene so carefull to provide for this place. For all which (as I hope) soe I shall continually pray; and such prayers are the best, and onelyonly requitall, I can make, and that I know, which you will accept of, together with this mine acknowledgement, before witnesse, and upon record, that I am
West-Felton in Salop. Decemb. 8. 1632. Yours in the bonds of thankfulnesse most obliged, SAMVEL HILDERSAM.
End of the text · Arthur Hildersham, The Doctrine of Fasting and Prayer (1633)