The Substance of Christian Religion, Title page – Publishers advertisement
THE SVBSTANCE OF Christian Religion: OR, A plain and easie Draught of the Christian CATECHISME, IN LII. Lectures, on chosen Texts of Scripture, for each Lords-day of the Year, Learnedly and Perspicuously Illustrated with Doctrines, Reasons and Uses.
By that Reverend and Worthy Laborer in the Lord's Vineyard, William Ames, Doctor in Divinity, and late Professor thereof, at Franeker in Friezeland.
LONDON, Printed by T. Mabb for Thomas Davies, and are to be sold at his Shop at the Signe of the Bible over against the little-north-doore of Paul, Church, 1659.
To the Reader.
SOme years are now passed, since it pleased divine providence to put a period to the life of Dr. William Ames, in whose death very many did interest themselves, as no indifferent mourners. Not onelyonly those, who either under the notion of Schollers or Friends were become his familiars; but universally all such, who had been sensible of injoying the fruits of his labours: And who were fervent lovers of sound literature, purity of heavenly Doctrine, and godlinesse in sincerity of heart. Knowing indeed, that in Ames, the garden of learning had lost one of its choisest flowers, the fortresse of truth, one of its stoutest defenders, Piety its most faithfull favourite, the School a most able and reverent Doctor, and studious youth their most diligent instructor. That we have … … … …, those, who have derived … … of learning from … … …; …und …able witnesses. In further testimony are those his elabourate … in opposition to the Idolatrous tyrany of Popery, and the spreading gangrene of Arminianisme, especially his *A Book so called.Coroni…, whereby he obtained the Crown in the conflict. As also those things which he Dedicated to both Religion and P…ty; his Marrow of Divinity▪ his C…ses of Conscience, Explication of the Psa…mes, Pe…er, &c. And these his Catechistical Commentations, which indeed he designed for the private use of his Schollers▪ upon whose intreaty he laid th…n down: But things so eminently conducing to the publick, were not to be confined to the narrower limits of private profit. Amongst those divers wayes by which diverse doe handle Catechistical Doctrine, this Author thought fit above all to make use of this method: He takes out of the Word of God a Text most apposite, resolves and explaines it su…inctly, then drawes out examples containing Doctrinal instructions, and lastly, applies them to their several uses. If this shall be disgusted by some …cer pa…at, I intreat him onl… by little and little to remit that prejudicate opinion, which he can deduce from nothing but a slight perusal; and must upon a more setled introspection confess, that in this Piece Ames hath most prudently chose, and dexterously handled, the most plain and regular method, for the Preachers function, and Christian instruction. But if any should please themselves with any other method, they may with little pains and exceeding profit produce a compliance between it and our Amesian System. The truth of this is sufficiently attested, not onelyonly by our own Country men, but also by the Dutch, French, and others, among whose Catechistical Treatises this was and is in no small esteem.
I need not have taken thus much pains to premise a Prefatory Epistle, when indeed I am not ignorant how that the least knowing among us, will conclude me but weak to suppose, that I might induce them to prize this Piece by a second motive, when the Title hath already presented them with the name of Ames: But least a total silence should bring this Work at first sight to be questioned for spurious, I thought it not altogether unnecessary to usher it into the world with this short Preface.
Farewell.
A Catalogue of Books printed for, and to be sold by Thomas Davies, at the Bible over against the little North Doore of St. Paul's Church.
THe History of this Iron Age, wherein is set downe the true state of Europe, as it was in the year 1500. also the original and causes of all the Warrs and Commotions that have happened, together with a description of the most memorable Battels, Sieges, Actions, and Transactions, both in Court and Camp, from that time untill this present year 1659. illustrated with the lively Effigies of the most renowned persons of this present time. folio.
Bp. Andrewes his Lectures, which he preached at St. Giles Cripplegate, and elswhere; with a Preface written by Mr. Th. Pierce, Minister of Brington in Northampton Shire. folio.
A Commentary upon the whole Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians, wherein the Text is learnedly, and fruitfully opened; with a Logical Analysis, Spiritual and holy observations, Confutation of Arminianisme and Popery, and sound edification of the diligent Reader, by Mr. Paul Bain, sometimes preacher of Gods Word at St. Andrews in Cambridge: The fith Edition, to which is added the life of the Author, and a Table of all the Doctrines. folio▪
Hewes his Phrases in English and Latin with an augmentation of several phrases by A…. Rosse, a Book very usefull for all … School… ▪ octavo.
The Preachers patterne, … … handling in 52. Lectures on chosen Texts of Scripture, the Substance of Christian Religion, learnedly and solidly illustrated, with apt Doctrines, Reasons, and Uses; By that late, famous Labourer in Gods Vineyard, Wil. Ames, Doctor in Divinity, and Professor thereof at Franeker in Friezeland. octavo.
Basilius Valentius his last Will and Testament, shewing the ways he wrought to obtain the Philosopher's Stone, and taught it to his fellow▪Collegians. octavo.
Ougtredi Trigonometria, hoc est modus computandi Triangulorum latera & Angulos, ex Canone Mathamatico traditus & demonstratus. ….
A Discourse of the Empire of Germany, and of the Election and Crowning the Emperour and King of the Romans, with the interests of the Electors, and the reasons why the present Emperour was lately chosen; By James Howell Esq. octavo.
A Discourse made in the solemne assembly of Nobles and learned men, at Montpelleier in France, of the cure of wounds by the powder of Sympathy, with the manner of making and applying the said powder; By Sr Kenelme Digby Kt. 12.
By whom also all sorts of Latine Books transported from beyond the Seas, are to be sold.