The Saints Solemn Covenant, Title page – Dedication
THE SAINTS Solemne Covenant VVITH THEIR GOD.
As it was opened in a Sermon preached at BECCLES in the Countie of Suffolk, at the taking of the Nationall Covenant there, by the Ministers and other Officers of that Division.
BY IOH: BRINSLEY Minister of the Word at Great Yarmouth.
IER. 50. 5.
Come and let us joyne our selves unto the Lord in a perpetuall Covenant, that shall not be forgotten.
Imprimatur,
IOS: CARYL.
London printed by Andrew Coe, MDCXLIV.
To the much honoured, Sir IOHN WENTWORTH, and Sir IOHN ROWSE Knights: With the rest of the Right Worshipfull the Commissioners for the Countie of Suffolke, Councell and Strength.
RIGHT WORSHIPFULL,
BY the appointment, and in the presence of some of you was this Sermon preached. And at the like request it is now published together with an addition of a Supplement to the Applicatorie part, which was then through straitnesse of time left imperfect. My ayme in both was, and is to promote the publique service of the Kingdome, and in particular the service of that day. If herein I have not done what haply some would have had me, by speaking their conceptions, I would have them and the world know, I have done what I conceived most expedient for the promoting of the service which then I was put upon, and (as far as I apprehend) the great designe of the Kingdome. That I have herein concealed my own private judgement in the point of Church Government, It is not because I am afraid or ashamed to give account of it, but only that I might not by an unseasonable anticipation of the judgement of that venerable Assembly now convened for the deciding and stating of that controversie, both render my selfe seemingly presumptious, and lay blocks in my own way, by sowing of scruples, which my worke was to remove and pull up. What successe God was pleased to give unto my poore labours at that time, some of you are witnesses. My hopes are, that being not altogether unsuccessefull in the hearing, they may prove not wholy unusefull in the reading. Such as they are, I presume to put them into your hands; laying both them and my selfe at the Churches feet.
Whose I am, and ever shall be JOH: BRINSLEY.