The First Principles of the Oracles of God, Title page – To the reader 2
The First PRINCIPLES OF THE ORACLES OF GOD. Collected by THOMAS SHEPHARD, Sometimes of Emanuel College in Cambridge, Now Preacher of Gods Word in New-England.
HEB. 5. 12. For when for the time ye ought to be Teachers, ye have need that one teach you again, which be the first Principles of the Oracles of God; and are be come such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
LONDON, Printed for Iohn Rothwel. 1655.
IMPRIMATUR Ioseph Caryl.
Imprimatur Iames Cranford.
TO THE CHRISTIAN READER:
IT is no disparagement at all for this wise Master-Builder, to labour sometimes by the Hammer Mr. Thomas Shepheard of New-England.of the VVord, to fasten these nailes of Truth in a sure place, even in the heads and hearts of Infant-Christians.
Neither is it below the highest Scholar in Christs School, to hold fast the form of wholesome words.2 Tim. 1. 13.
The great Apostle himselfe, (who was wrapt up into the third Heaven) although he had received a Commission of Christ his Master to make Disciples, yet he was a Disciple still; for he not only Catechised others, but learned, and that again, and again, The first Principles of the Oracles of God, which are called The Mysteries of the Kingdome of Heaven, Heb. 5. 12. Mat. 13. 11. foreign 1 Cor. 2. 10.and the depths of God: that is, in plain English, those Doctrinall Truths, which are truly fundamentall, and absolutely necessary unto salvation; that wee may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and convince the gain-sayers; and be ready alwaies to give an answer to every man Tit. 1. 2. 1 Pet. 1. 15.that asketh us a reason of the hope that is in us.
Thus heartily beseeching thee, in the name of Christ, to search the Scriptures, and to give thy self continually to prayer, and the Ministery of the Word, that you may grow in Grace, and in Joh. 5. 39. Act. 6. 4.the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; I now commend you to God, and to the Word of his Grace, which is able to build you 2 Pet. 3. 8. Act. 20. 32.up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are Sanctified. So be it.
Friend, I am thine, if thou doest love the Truth, and our Lord Iesus Christ in sincerity.
VVILLIAM ADDERLEY. Dated, From Charter-house in London, February, 1. 1647.
Christian Reader,
BEing desired to peruse and give our opinion of …e resol…tions in thi… Letter now presented to …y view: VVe must confesse, they appeared t… …ery precious; For we have seldome seen acutenesse, profoundnesse, and godliness, so eminently, equ…lly, and happilly matched. There are in Christ, School divers forms, elementaries, and men of exercise… wits The Scholar proposing these cases was no Puny, and he was happy in meeting with a teacher so able for resolution. Therefore, who ever reads and …eeds, will not re…ent of his labour. But the mo…e kn…wing the Reader is, and the more experienced in the VVaies of Ch…ist, the more delight may …e take in, and the more p…fit may he reap by these pious and profound resolutions. So we are
Th…e in Christ Jesus Iohn Geree, and Will. Greenhill. March 27. 1648.
THE SUM OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION, In way of Question and Answer.
Delivered by Mr. Tho. Shephard in N. E.