The Handmaid of Repentance, Title page – Dedication
THE HAND-MAID OF REPENTANCE. OR, A SHORT TREATISE OF RESTITVTION.
Written by ARTH: DENT, Miniſter of Gods word at Southſhoobery in ESSEX.
As a neceſſary Appendix to his Sermon of Repentance.
Printed for Thomas Thorp. 1614.
TO THE CHRIſtian Reader.
THE zealous care of that religious and learned Teacher Mr. Dent, towardes the edification of Gods houſe, in the exhortation of his people vntounto holineſſe of life; as it hath ſufficiently approued it ſelfe to the generall view of the World in diuers worthy workes of his now extant: ſo by the conſent of many deuout and iudicious Chriſtians, it hath not in any one peece or other of his doing, more fully aud truly expreſſed it ſelfe; than in that Sermon which himſelfe firſt preached, and afterwardes cauſed to be publiſhed, vponupon Repentance. It might hauehave been ſuppoſed, that this delicate Age of ours would ſcarcely hauehave put on ſo rough a garment. But the vertuous cunning of that excellent Artiſt, had ſo thicke ouerlaced the ſame with heauenly promiſes and comfortable perſwaſions: that although at the firſt aſſaying thereof, it found it ſelfe inwardly prickt and perturbed; yet after a little wearing, and by daily vſe, the ſtraightneſſe thereof became both profitable and pleaſing, and it reioyced not a little to be ſo happily deceiued. Behold heere another peece of Worke, made by the ſame hand, A ſhort Treatiſe of Reſtitution: Array thy ſelfe likewiſe (good Christian) with this Veſture; being indeed an Ornament, which will make the reſt of thy cloathing appeare more gracious. This is the true Touch-ſtone which tries thy repentance; and giues thee to God and the world either a true Chriſtian, or a counfeit. Be not afraid to vſe it: but as thou haſt vouchſafed the former, of Repentance, to weare in thine heart, and haſt thereby no doubt (if thou be a Chriſtian) receiued great conſolation; ſo let this latter, of Restitution, be as a Poſie in thine hand, to thy more aſſured & greater comfort. This is the furniture which renders the gueſt acceptable at the heauenly marriage. If then thou deſireſt to bee welcome to that Feaſt, enter thus ſuited. Now foraſmuch as this ſo neceſſary and Chriſtianlike a worke, penned by ſo ſinguler a Miniſter of the Goſpell, and ſo much conducting to eternall bliſſe, hath by Gods goodnes come vntounto my hands: and conſidering that Repentance is of ſmall force where Reſtitution is wanting, as being the onelyonly Key which openeth the way vntounto Remiſsion; I held my ſelfe bound in Chriſtian Charity, to communicate the ſame vntounto my Brethren. Such Talents muſt not be hid, but put to vſury, that they may be increaſt with profit. Praiſe God for the Author of ſo good a worke; and vſe it to the rectifying of thine owne conſcience, that God may be glorified; which is the accompliſhment of my deſire. Farewell in the Lord.