A Healing Question, Postscript
Poſtſcript.
Reader,
UPon the peruſal of this Diſcourſe thou wilt quickly perceive that theſe two things are principally aimed at in it by the Author. Firſt to anſwer in ſome meaſure that which is called for by thoſe in power, when they publiquely profeſſe they deſire nothing more then conviction, and to find out the hidden provocations which either have or yet may bring forth the Lord againſt theſe Nations, in the way which at preſent they are in.
Secondly, To remove out of the minds and ſpirits of the honeſt Partie, that ſtill agree in the reaſon and juſtice of the good Old Cauſe, all things of a private Nature and ſelfiſh Concern (the tendency whereof ſerves but to foment and ſtrengthen wrath and diviſions amongſt them) and in Place thereof to ſet before them that common and publique intereſt, which (if with ſinceritie embraced) may be the meanes of not only procuring a firm union amongſt them, but alſo of conſerving them herein.
In order to this, the Author hath not been willing much to declare his own Opinion, or deliver any Poſitive Concluſions, as to diſcuſſe the buſineſs by way of queſtion and anſwer, and thereby make as neer a conjecture as he can, of that, wherein the ſeveral diſſenting parts may with better ſatiſfaction meet together, and agree upon a ſafe and righteous bottome, then to remaine at the diſtance they doe, to the apparent advantage of the Common Enemie, the approaching ruine of themſelves, and needleſſe hazzard (if not loſſe) of the Cauſe they have been ſo deeply engaged in. Eſpecially conſidering that when once they ſhall be found beginning to come forth to one another, in ſuch a condiſcending ſelf-denying ſpirit, cleanſed from the ſtain of hypocriſie and deceit, they may be well aſſured that light will ſpring up amongſt them more and more unto a perfect day; and then thoſe things which at preſent we have next in view, will prove as ſhadowes ready to flee away before the morning brightneſſe of Chriſts Heavenly Appearance and ſecond comming; through which they will be heightened and improved to their full maturitie, to the bringing in that Kingdome of his that ſhall never be moved.
And becauſe an Eſſay hath been already made, in a private way to obtain the firſt thing, that is to ſay, Conviction; which chiefly is in the hand of the Lord to give; the ſame obligation lies upon the Author, with reſpect to the ſecond, for the expoſing of it as now it is unto Publicke view, and therein leaving it alſo with the Lord, for his bleſſing thereunto.
LONDON, Printed for T. Brewſter at the ſign of the three Bibles at the Weſt-end of Pauls. 1656.
End of the text · Henry Vane, A Healing Question (1656)