Grounds of Christian Religion, Dedication
To my louing and beloued Friends and Neighbours, the Parishioners of S. Matthews Friday street, increase of Grace in the knowledge of Iesus Christ.
MOst louing neighbors, though late, yet now at length I present you with a Dedication, small in bulke, but for the substance weighty, being the summe of those doctrines which you hauehave heard me deliuer in the course of my ministeriall charge; so as both you may more properly challenge an interest herein then others: and my selfe may more boldly presume of an acceptance at your hands, of whose patience and louelove towards my poore ministry I hauehave had so plentifull proofe. The Preacher saith, The words of the wise are as goads, and as nayles fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are giuen by one shepheard. I therefore hauehave collected these short notes to be as nayles to fasten the maine doctrines (which you hauehave heard, and here may see) vponupon your beleeuing hearts, and as goades, to quicken vp your willing … affections to the perfecting of holinesse in the feare of God. And because it is the duty of faithfull parents to propagate and conuey the knowledge of Christ vntounto their children and families, as Abraham did: I therefore commend these grounds to your Christian care, to the end you may the more easily instruct your families in them, that you with yours being built vponupon the rocke of truth, may be established in the beliefe and louelove of the same against the windes of errour, and waues of heresie, till you arriue on the hauen of eternal rest, which is in Iesus Christ: which that you may doe, it shall be the daily prayer, and dutifull indeauour of
your vnworthy, but faithfull and louing Pastor, Henry Burton.
End of the text · Henry Burton, Grounds of Christian Religion (1631)