The Dignity and Duty of a Christian, Title page – Dedication
THE DIGNITY AND DVTY OF A CHRISTIAN.
PVBLISHED AND SET FORTH TO COMfort and encourage all thoſe which be truly Chriſts, to continue in him, and to be faithfull to the death.
By Mr. IOHN ABERNET…R, Biſhop of CATHNES in Scotland.
LONDON, Imprinted by F. K. for Iohn Budge, and are to bee ſold at the ſigne of the Greene Dragon, in Pauls Church-yard. 1620.
TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE and Religious Lady, Dame Margaret Stuart, Lady Ochiltrie, all happineſſe bee multiplied.
AS many ſeeme to themſelues to bee ſomething, when they are nothing, deceiuing themſelues in their owne imagination: So many (out of an idle preſumption, and bare profeſsion) dreame to themſelues that they are Christs, when they are none of his, vnderunder the vaile of hypocriſie, hauing onelyonly a name that they are liuing, when they are dead. If they had any ſparke of a true deſire of their owne ſaluation, they ſhould rather giuegive all diligence to make their Calling and Election ſure, and carefully endeuour both to become, and to bee aſſured that they are Chriſts; which is mans higheſt happineſſe: And to teſtifie the ſame, by crucifying of the fleſh, with the affections and luſts; which is mans moſt thankfull duty. This little Treatiſe ſerueth to giuegive inſtruction herein, and to comfort and encourage all thoſe that are truly Chriſts; to continue in him, and to be faithfull to the death. I deliuered it in one of my ordinary Sermons, whereof (Madam) you were then one of my accuſtomed hearers. It was immediatly penned, but it came not againe into my hands till now. I hauehave thought it good to put it forth vnderunder your Ladiſhips name, worthy to bee remembred. Your Ladiſhip is the godly mother of many godly children: and in ſpeciall, the mother of that worthy and truly religious daughter, Dame Anna, Lady Ferniherſt, my faithfull friend, who now reſts in the Lord, and fully feeleth that ſhee was, and is Chriſts. Your Ladiſhip hath been alwayes to all, a mirrour of ſincere and conſtant godlines: and, for that reſpect was had of your true piety and grauity; your Ladiſhip obtained once that honour, as the fitteſt Lady to attend our late gracious Queene of worthy memory; and to hauehave vnderunder your hand this our most gracious Prince in his tender Infancy. But aboue all theſe, God hath honoured you by his ſpeciall and ſauing grace: and giuen you this dignity with the reſt of his Saints, to be verily one of Chriſts, that you may confidently ſay, and ſing with the Church, My Beloued is mine, and I am his. Theſe conſiderations (amongst many other) hauehave moued me to dedicate this Manuell vntounto you. If by peruſing it, you reape any cōfort, as once you did when you firſt heard it: and if it can benefit any other, it is all the gaine that I expect for my paines. And ſo wiſhing your La. all happineſſe in Chriſt our Sauiour, I ſhall euer abide,
Your La. very affectionate friend, I. B. of Cathnes.