A Key of Heaven, Title page – Dedication
A KEY OF HEAVEN: THE LORDS PRAYER opened, and ſo applied, that a Chriſtian may learne how to pray, and to procure all things which may make for the glorie of God, and the good of himſelfe, and of his neighbour.
Containing likewiſe ſuch Doctrines of faith and godlines, as may be very uſefull to all that deſire to live godly in Chriſt Ieſus.
The ſecond Edition enlarged by the Author.
MATTH. 7.7.
Aske, and it ſhall be given yeu: ſeeke, and ye ſhall finde: knocke, and it ſhall be opened unto you
Oratio juſti clavis coeli.
LONDON: Printed by Thomas Harper, for Ben… in Fiſher, and are to be ſold at the ſigne o… the Talbot in Alderſgate-ſtreet 1633.
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIP-FVLL Sir THOMAS CREVV, and to all his hopefull children, all grace and peace in this life, all joy and glory in that which is to come, be multiplied.
RIGHT Worſhipfull, cuſtome doth claim by preſcription, that ſuch bookes as come under the Preſſe to bee made publick, ſhould be uſhered forth with an Epiſtle Dedicatory, which if it want, it calleth into ſuſpition, that either the Author hath no friends of worth, or that the worke is not worthy patronage. Wherefore having ſuffered this Tract on the Lords Prayer, to come forth, I tread the common path. The profit of him to whom dedication is made, or teſtification of reſpect and thankfulneſſe of him that dedicateth, or credit and countenance to the booke dedicated, is the marke that is aymed at in dedications. All theſe reſpects have moved mee to make choyce of your ſelfe. For though you be already furniſhed and fully eſtabliſhed in the truths therein delivered, yet it ſhall bee profitable unto you, that with ſome variety you bee put in remembrance of the ſame things: your children likewiſe (who may reape ſome good hereby) will bee induced to read and make uſe of this booke the rather, becauſe it commeth through the hands and under the patronage of their ſo loving and beloved father. Theſe are likewiſe to acknowledge that dept of thankes due to you for the many kindneſſes you have ſhewed mee, for which I do and ſhall for ever ſtand beholding unto you: alſo to ſignifie my well wiſhing to your children, and that for the well deſervings of thoſe which are come to age, and for the ſake of their mother, your deerely beloved wife, now with the Lod, to whom my ſelfe and mine ſtood much indebted, whom I could not but admire and affect while ſhe lived, whoſe remembrance I ſhall alwayes honour, and whoſe name I deſire to keepe alive, for to quicken others now ſhe is dead. For, to ſpeake within compaſſe, without hyperbole, amongſt the many gracious women that I have knowne, a more compleate Chriſtian, to whom the Lord had beſtowed ſuch a ſweet concurrence of gifts of grace and nature, have I … knowne.Nam gau deant bene nati, modò renati. Gratier eſt ou…ch…o veniens è corpore vir…us. And though birth, beautie, wit, a large heart, and good elocution (all which were eminent in her) without grace are vanitie; yet when theſe are accompanied with love out of a pure heart, and of a good conſcience, and of faith unfained (all which abounded in her) each doth make other admirable. I would ſay more, were it not that I ſhold renew your griefe in remembrance of your loſſe: but I am aſſured you have learned to bee thankfull for the enjoyment of ſo rare an helper ſo long, rather then to over-grieve or bee impatient that you could enioy her no longer. If you ſhall pleaſe to ſuffer theſe my firſt fruits in this kinde to paſſe into the world through your hand, they will be the better accepted of the good, and defended from thoſe that are bad, and I ſhall remaine much bound to you. All that I can ſay, why I publiſh this booke, is, I deſire by all meanes, according to my abilitie, to do good in the Church of God. I acknowledge, many have written worthily upon this ſubiect, whoſe helps I have uſed, yet none that I know in this manner; and I finde that variety in this kinde doth much good. Now the God of heaven, whoſe glory I intend in this worke, give it favour in the ſight of his Church, to the edifying thereof, to whom be praiſe and glory for ever, Amen. Thus commending you and yours to the protection and bleſſing of the Almightie, I humbly take my leave, this 26. of May.
Yours to be commanded, in all Chriſtian duties, HENRY SCUDDER.