Gods Arrows, Title page – Dedication
GODS ARROWES, OR, Two Sermons, concerning the visitation of God by the Pestilence.
Very profitable to be read at all times, but especially in the time of Gods visitation.
By William Warde Minister of the word of God.
Deut. 32. 23.
I will spend plagues vponupon them; I will bestow mine Arrowes vponupon them.
❧ London, printed by HENRY BALLARD.
1607.
TO THE right VVorshipfull, Sir William Skipwith knight, and one of his Maiesties Iustices of the peace in the county of Leicester, the rich blessings of God, to his comfort in this life, and eternall saluation in the life to come.
THese two sermons (right worshipfull) were penned by me, at the instance of a neere friend, presently after they were preached, but (I protest) not with a purpose euer to hauehave had them put foorth in print. Notwithstanding, the partie that hath them in possession, is growen so resolute, that they shall to the presse, (how vnpollished soeuer) that I am compelled to yeelde thereto, though against my will, because I see no remedy. OnelyOnly thus much, I hauehave obtained, that they may go foorth vnderunder your protection, to whom next vnderunder God, I am beholding, and from whom, together with your deceased father, I hauehave receiued mayntenance, and vnderunder whom I hauehave spent my time by labouring in the Lords vineyard now full twenty and seuen yeeres: Perswading my selfe, that as you louelove the Word, and the teachers thereof, so you will vouchsafe to accept of this my litle worke, though simple, yet agreeable to the sincere word of God, not so much respecting the worke-man far vnworthy to vndergo such a waight, as in regard of him who first opened my mouth, and made me able to deliuer it to his people. And the rather for that, as the Euangelist Saint Luke did of louelove, (being inspired therunto by the holy Ghost) dedicate his booke to the most noble Theophilus: so I, though no way by the abundance of Gods Spirit so enabled, yet according to that piece of a Talent giuen me of the Lord, hauehave out of that dutifull louelove I alwayes bare towards you, presumed to commend vntounto you these abortiue first fruits of my publique abours by writing, presented like the widowes mite into the treasury of your fauourable tuition, to be protected from the poyson of Momus and Zoilus, and others of that viperous brood. And thus I humbly take my leaue, committing you to him who neuer leaueth his, &c.
Your worships to be commanded in the Lord. William Ward.