Self-Denial Opened and Applied, Title page – Dedication
SELF-DENIALL: Opened and Applyed IN A SERMON BEFORE The Reverend Assembly OF DIVINES: On a Day of their private HUMILIATION.
BY EDWARD REYNOLDS, D.D. Minister of the Word of God at Braunston in Northamtonshire, and a Member of That ASSEMBLY.
The Second Edition.
LONDON, Printed by T. Maxey, for Robert Bostock, at the signe of the Kings Head in Paul's Church-yard. 1652.
To the Reverend Assembly of DIVINES.
Brethren and Fathers,
THis Sermon was preached by your command, and in your alone audience: nor had it gone further then those wals, had not the importunity of many Reverend Brethren amongst your selves urged the Publication of it. The Argument of the Sermon taught me to lay aside mine own judgment touching the expediency or seasonablenesse of this action, seeing the judgments of so many godly and learned Brethren concur for it. I have this advantage and benefit by the publishing of it, that I may return some small tribute of thanks for those many grave, judicious, and learned Debates, those many gracious and heavenly excercises, that sweet and most delightfull Society, whereof I have been made a partaker by sitting amongst you; which truly have made my life, amidst many great losses and greater infirmities, more cheerfull to me, then even mine own judgment in such sad and calamitous times could otherwise willingly have allowed it to be. Yet it will be a farther accession unto this content, if you shall be pleased to accept of this poor part of my labours, first preached in your hearing, and now submitted to your view; from him, whose hearts desire and prayer is, That the Lord (whose you are, and whom you serve) would prosper all your Labours for the good of his Church, and make you happy Instruments of healing the Breaches, reconciling the Differences, preventing the Confusions, and advancing the Peace of his Sion.
Your most humble servant in the Lord, E.R.