Sermon on Easter Monday, Title page – Dedication
A SERMON PREACHED To the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, and Court of Aldermen of the City of London, at their Anniversary meeting on Easter Monday April 1652, at the SPITTLE. WHEREIN The Unity of the Saints with Christ, the Head, and especially with the Church, the Body; With the duties thence arising, are endeavoured to be cleared. Tending to heale our Rents and Divisions. The second Impression, corrected by the Authour.
By STEPHEN MARSHAL B. D. and Minister of the Gospel at Finchingfield in Essex.
1 Cor. 12. 13.
By one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether wee be Jewes or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free, and have been all made to drinke into one Spirit.
Zach. 8. 19.
Therefore love the truth and peace.
LONDON Printed by R. I. for Stephen Bowtel, at the Bible in Popes Head-Alley. 1653.
To the RIGHT HONOURABLE THE Lord Mayor, and Court of Aldermen, of the famous City of LONDON.
Right Honourable:
MY earnest desire to help quench the flames of our Church-divisions, which threaten destruction to us all, put mee upon the study of this Theame, when I was called to Preach at your late solemne Anniversary meeting; the same desire hath perswaded me to yeeld ready obedience to your Order for the publishing of it. I doubt not, but as it was the prayer of our blessed Saviour, That all his Saints might be one; so it is the desire of all true Christians, that Jesus Christ would make all his to be of one mind, and of one heart, and when they cannot be of one minde, yet to be of one heart, and I am as assured, that in his due time he will effect it; when that blessed time is approaching, such Doctrines, as this plaine Sermon holds forth, will be more seriously studied, and more readily imbraced, then they are at this day.
If this mite may contribute any thing to it, yea, if it doe but provoke divided and ingaged men, to search the Scriptures, whether these things here delivered be true, or not, and especially, if it occasion some other of his servants, who have obtained greater ability, and more leasure, to arise, and put their hand to this worke of reconciliation, and pacification; I should then hope, that the Day-star of our peace begun to appear; however, I have peace in the discharge of my duty, and humbly commend the healing of all our breaches to him, who is the Prince of peace; to him also I commend your selves and your great work, and subscribe my selfe,
Your Servant in, and for the Lord, STEPHEN MARSHALL.