The Key of Knowledge, Title page – Dedication
The Key of Knowledge.
which is, A little booke intended to bee of good use, as for all degrees of Christians, so especially for Religious Families, and Religious Schooles.
The full use and contents whereof must be enquired in the Preface or introduction to the worke which is (first) deliberately to be read of those who desire to receive profit by the Booke.
By JOHN JACKSON, Rector of Marsk neere Richmond in York-shire.
Acts. 17. 23. As I passed by and beheld your Devotions, I found an Altar with this Inscription, To the unknowne God: Whom therefore yee ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
John 17. 3. This is lefe eternall, to know thee to bee that onelyonly true God, and him whom thou hast sent, Jesus Christ.
LONDON, Imprinted by Felix Kingston for Robert Milbourne, and are to be sold at the signe of the holy Lambe in little Brittaine, neere S. Butolphs Church. 1640.
TO THE WORshipfull, and his ever honoured friends, the whole posterity of his worthy Patron, Sir Timothy Hutton deceased, both to his Sonnes with their wives and Children, and to his Daughters with their husbands and children: namely, Mathew Hutton of Marsk. Esquire, Iustice of peace; Iames Maulleverer of Arncliffe Esquire; Iohn Dodsworth of Thornton-watlasse, Esquire, Iustice of peace: Edmund Cleburne of Cleburne, Esquire; Mr Timothy Hutton; Mr Philip Hutton deceased his relict and issue; Mr Iohn Hutton; and Mr Thomas Hutton, Peace &c.
THis little following book had beene in the Printers hands diverse daies ere ever I purposed any nuncupation, or dedication of it at all. At last, it came into my minde to addresse it this way, and that for these causes. first, out of honour to your chiefe, Arch-Bishop Hutton, of whom for his learning, and gravitie, this great Encomium was publiquely given, that hee was worthy to sit President in a generall Councell. Secondly, because I was well ascertained, my book could receive no smut from you, being people of whole fame for native gentlenesse, innocency of manners, faire deportment, and for the constant and uniforme profession of Religion. Thirdly, for that the most of you are spread into a goodly posterity and have faire sonnes and daughters, unto whom these things may bee truely usefull to ground them soundly in Religion, so as neither Abundance can choake, nor Indigence ever starve in them those due respects they owe to divine powers. Would God parents would at last be wise, and thinke it were conduceable to the hopefull setling of a child, to aime at more of instruction and institution, though lesse of provision. Fourthly, in acknowledgement of that great love, sweet familiarity, and continuall intercourses of Christian acquaintance which you were ever pleased to hold with mee, both affecting my person, and leaning to my ministery farre beyond the proportion of desert. Lastly, and especially for the pious memory of that worthy Knight Sir Timothy Hutton, your deare Father, and my most incorrupt Patron. Into the mention of whom being fallen, I cannot containe my pen, but to his great praise I must relate one or two things of him in this very regard: first that comming to settle his family at Marske, and finding the Rector there to be no more but a bare reader, he rested not till hee had compounded forth the present incumbent, and filled the Church with a preaching Ministery. And when it was empty againe by the death of that incumbent, he most freely presented my selfe with out the least request made in my behalfe to him, either by my selfe, or any other; yea hee besought mee earnestly to take it, and when he signed the presentation he drew with his pen the forme of his heart betweene his name and sir-name. and I can well take an accompt of my memory, that the Bpp of the diocesse, when he gave institution, asserted vehemently that I had the best and most upright Patron living. This I say not onelyonly for his honour, but also for the just defamation both of such Patrons (sonnes of the earth whosoever they be) as thinke heaven and earth would faile them for maintenance and support, if they should present a Father and Priest without some sprinckling either of direct or indirect symonie: and also of such Clerkes as professe they believe the resurrection of their bodies after they are calcined to dust, and yet dare not trust God for food and raiment, without these indirect and symoniacall contracts. But I containe.
These things therefore (my much honoured, and most deerely respected friends) I present unto you, and together with them whatsoever is worth acceptance either in the person or function of
Your most affectionate friend, and Servant in the things of Iesus Christ. IOHN IACKSON.