The True and Absolute Bishop, Title page – Dedication
The True and Abſolute BISHOP: With the Converts returne unto Him.
Wherein is alſo shevved hovv CHRIST is our only SHEPHEARD, As well as our trueſt BISHOP; And alſo, how lamentable and miſerable the condition of thoſe Men doth appeare to bee, which are out of CHRISTS Fold, Or, out of CHRISTS DIOCESSE.
By NICOLAS DARTON Minister of GODS Word, at KILLESBIE, in NORTHAMPTON-SHIRE.
HEBR. 7. Ver. 26.
For ſuch an High Prieſt became us, who is holy, harmeleſſe, undefiled, ſeparate from ſinners, and made higher then the Heavens.
LONDON, Printed by Tho. Badger, for Humphrey Moſley, and are to bee ſold at his Shop at the PRINCES Armes in Saint PAULS CHƲRCH-YARD. 1641.
TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE and every way RELIGIOƲS LORD; WILLIAM, Viſcount SAY and SEALE, Maſter of his Majesties Court of Wards and Liveries, an eſpeciall Member for God Glory and Great Britaines ſafety, amongſt the Right Honourable Lords in the High Court of Parliament now aſſ mbled; And one of His Majeſties moſt Honourable Privie Councell.
Much Honoured LORD;
LEt the blisfull ſtreames of Gods eternall mercies, run plentifully, through all your Parliamentary deſignes, and others elſe, to make you, as truly proſperous in your Acts of State, as Religious in your intentions for Piety, that's my deſire for you. The next for my ſelfe, is this, that ſome drop of your Honours favour, and Clemencie, (how little ſoever) may through your Honourable acceptance, of this my ſmall tender, fall on me, to make me as truly happy, in the enioyment of ſo great a Patronage, as I am forward in the dedication of the ſame, unto your Honour. True it is, you may wonder, I beg (thus bold) for the latter, eſpecially being that I am ſo farre remote, from your Honours knowledge: but to ſpeak iuſtly, there's no iuſt cauſe of marvaile, for though I am a ſtranger to your Perſon, I am not to your vertuous practiſes, which make our Hemiſphere of Great Brittaine, with admiration to be acquainted with you. The booke (I confeſſe,) is not worthy your iudicious eye, nor reading, but the Biſhop in it, I am confident you love with all your heart: ſtraying ſheep, (I have heard) your deſire is, ſhould returne to the fold, imitating here our great Shepheard, that makes welcome all the Flock, that come. VVhat you finde amiſſe, in the handling of the propounded ſubject, wch is good, let your love to goodnes pardon, and what otherwiſe in the raſh attempt, of ſo bold an adventure as this upon your goodneſſe is, let your wounted mildneſſe paſſe by. Greatneſſe in you (I beleeve) is as pardonfull as your goodneſſe, for O how ſweetly in you, may both Church and State ſee, how they goe hand in hand together? I dare not ſpeake all I beleeve, of your almoſt unparallell'd pietie, tis enough for me, to ſee it, and to heare it abroad, but for feare of ſuſpition of unpleaſing flattery, to your ſelfe, I dare not ſpeake. VVhat now is to bee ſpoken for the preſent on my behalfe, hath an eye upon your mercy, that you would vouchſafe the ſame, (though undeſerved,) upon the worke and Author. So ſhall I that am but even the ſmalleſt of Chriſts miniſtry, be encouraged in the painefull worke of the Lord, and endeavour daily, (if not more,) to bring Goates haire, (by no means leſſe) to the building of Gods Temple; continually morne and evening, as long as I have a day to live, praying heartily, to the eternal Trinity for you and yours, that an encreaſe of true honours welfare may abound on your Honourable ſelfe, Your truly vertuous and Religious Lady, and hopefull Progenie here, and that an immortall Crowne of endleſſe glory with the communion of Saints through Ieſus Chriſt, may be your eternall inheritance hereafter.
Your Honours Servant in all Humlitie moſt devoted, NICOLAS DARTON.