A Sermon of Repentance, Title page – Dedication
A Sermon of repentaunce.
A very godly and profitable Sermon, preached at Lee in Eſſex, by Arthur Deut, Miniſter of Gods word. And publiſhed at the requeſt of ſundrie Godly and vvell diſpoſed perſons. 1581. the 7. of March.
Ionah. chap. 2. ver. 8.
They that waite vponupon lying vanities, Forſake their owne merciemercy.
Imprinted at London for John Hariſon, and are to bee ſolde at the white Greihound in Paules Church-yard▪ 1582.
To the Reader.
ALthough I was moſte vnwilling that this poore Talent and trauaile of myne, ſhould euer hauehave bene broched abroade, and come to light: both becauſe it maye ſeeme as a Candle lighted at no one day: as alſo becauſe many other mennes doinges might more worthely a great deale hauehave ben publiſhed, and committed vntounto letters: Yet becauſe diuers which heard it preached with a liuely voice, were very inſtant, yea, and more then importunate with mee to hauehave it publiſhed, vſing ſuche reaſons as I coulde not well gaineſay, I did at the laſt yeelde to their requeſt, and ſo this vntimely fruite is come abroade, to be ſolde in open markettes. Let no man be offended that I hauehave not ſtrained my ſelfe to flye an high pitch, to fome out the froth of mans wiſdome, and to make a great ſhew of learning, by blowing the bladder of vanity, till it burſt with ſwelling. For that is not my vſe. I ſeeke eſpeciall the ſaluation of the ſimple and ignorant, and therefore ſtoupe downe to their reach and capacitie. Therefore I beſeeche thee gentle Reader, accepte my good meaning: Reade this without preiudice, like it as thou profiteſt, ſo ſhalte thou hauehave praiſe of God, & comforte in thy conſcience.
A. D.