An Idea of the Reformation in England and History of Non-Conformity, Title page – Letter
ELEƲTHERIA: OR, An Idea of the REFORMATION IN ENGLAND: AND A History of NON-CONFORMITY in and since that Reformation.
With PREDICTIONS of a more glorious REFORMATION and REVOLUTION at hand. Written in the year 1696.
Mostly compiled and maintain'd from unexceptionable Writings of Conformable Divines in the Church of England.
To which is added, The Conformists Reasons for joining with the Nonconformists in Divine Worship.
By another Hand.
LONDON, Printed for J. R. and sold by Sam. Philips Bookseller at Boston in New-England, 1698.
THE PUBLISHER TO THE READER.
THIS Treatise I received by a Trader from New-England from an unknown hand (a Learned Nonconformist there, as I guess him to be.) I had not time to have the Judgment of some judicious Divine here (for a number of them was desired to be sent this Season into those parts) therefore I have adventured to print it on my own Judgment; and tho I will not presume to be a competent judg, yet I may say this, that it is a brief, smart, and (I hope) a true History of the darkness of Popery, the first Rise of the Reformation, and the great struggles for further Reformation ever since; and all this made good by the Writings of many Divines of the Church of England.
The Printer having left room at the latter end, I thought good to add a Sheet which I received from a Reverend Divine of the Church of England, which I hope will not offend the Author of this Treatise, in as much as it may be useful to the Reader to convince him that there are some conformable Divines, even at this time, that heartily desire and labor after Union and Communion with all the faithful in the Land, whether Conformists or Nonconformists; the Church of England having in her Articles given this definition of a Church, viz.
The visible Church of Christ is a Congregation of faithful Men, in which the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments be duly administred according to Christ's Ordinance, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same. I leave the Reader to make the Inference.
Aug. 18. 1698.
Vade, Liber, quanquam sis parvus mole, sed amplum Lectori Fructum det Deus Omnipotens.
TO THE BOOKSELLER.
SIR,
THIS is not the first time, that you have been address'd from an unknown Hand, with matters which were worthy to be made known, and which by your charitable care have been made known to the whole English Nation.
The Character which you deservedly have, even in America, as well as Europe, is that of a good Man; and agreeably to that Character, you will by the Publication of the Manuscript here sent you, come to the Nation with good Tidings.
The Author of this Manuscript lies concealed from you, and from all its Readers, only that he may, till a fitter Opportunity, preserve his Teeth from some few kicking Unreasonables: But the Matter of it is a Discourse, wherein with Truth closely followed, there is expressed such a Spirit of union with all good Men, whether Conformists or Dissenters, that none of them can be offended at.
It cannot but be a Satisfaction unto the lovers of Truth, to be entertained with an History, thus unexceptionable: and a Person of such a disposition as yours, to serve your Country and the Church of God in all its Interests, cannot but rejoice in an opportunity to communicate unto the Publick a little Book, accommodated so much as this, unto those Interests.
You will find the Composure brief; but you will find a variety of acceptable things, crowded into this grateful brevity: the Stile also I hope you will find not unacceptable: and tho 'twas written in the year 1696, I suppose 'tis grown but the more seasonable, by being till now reserved.
But all this I leave to your better Judgment, and subscribe,
SIR, Your hearty (tho unknown) Friend and Servant. Boston in NEW-ENGLAND, May 10. 1698.