Answer to a Popish Pamphlet Called the Touchstone of the Reformed Gospel, Title page – Dedication
An ANSWER To a Popish Pamphlet, called The TOUCH-STONE of the Reformed Goſpell▪ made ſpeciallie out of themſelves.
MATH. 15 13.
Everie Plant which my heavenlie Father hath not planted, ſhall be rooted up.
By WILLIAM GUILD, D. D. and Preacher of GODS WORD.
ABERDENE, Printed by IAMES BROWN 1656▪
To the Right Honourable, SIR Thomas Mudie, PROVES… of DUNDIE. Iohn Scrimgeor, William Duncan, Alexander Watſon, and David Yeoman, Baylies: AND To the Remnant of the Honourable COUNCELL of that Burgh. Grace and peace.
Right Honourable,
THe ſedulitie of that Apoſtatick Church of Rome, who like theſe Locuſts Revel. 9. ſwarme everie wher in our Countrey, and neighbour Nation, like Phariſees of old to make proſelyts to themſelves, and miſleade ſimple ſoules, ſhould move the Miniſters of Chriſt, and Sions Watch-men, to be aſhamed to be leſſe diligent in a better cauſe and for a better Maſter. Theſe are diſperſing their popiſh Pamphlets, and everie where, and everie way, ſowing ſecretlie and ſubdolouſlie their pople and Tares in the Lords Field to ſeduce, And ſhould not wee then be much more ſedulo…s and ſolicitous every way, by word and write to diſcover their fraud, to arme againſt Errour, and labour to reduce. The conſcience of which dutie for my part, hath moved me to anſwere a late Pamphlet, called. The Touch-ſtone of the reformed Gospell. Which is in everie Papiſts hands, and almoſt whereof they vainly brag as being unanſwerable. which anſwer I have framed with as great brevitie & perſpicuitie as I could, and the better to ſtop the adverſaries mouthes, & detect their Wresting of Scripture (as PETER ſpeaketh 2. Pet. 3. 16.) to their owne deſtruction, I have anſwered ſuch ſcripturall places as hee objecteth againſt us, either by the expoſition of Fathers for moſt part, orelſe of their own Doctours, Neither of which without impudence they can reject, and ſo cannot alleadge (as he doeth in his Preface) That wee chop and change the Text of Scripture by ſome interpretation or other of our owne.
Theſe paines then which I have beene preſſed by ſundry Reverend Brethren and others, for the publick good to put to the Preſs, I hauehave (Right Honourable) Dedicate to you, as a Teſtimonie of my inteere affection both to your ſelves perſonally, whoſe kindneſſe and courteſie to my ſelf I have ever at all occaſions found, as alſo to that Place wherein you governe, in regard of my relation therto, which moved me, as I did Dedicate the firſt Fruits of my Studies in my youth long agoe to the Magiſtracie and Councill of Aberdene, the place of my owne Birth and breeding; ſo now to Dedicate the latter and ryper Fruits of my old Age to the Magiſtracie and Councill of the Birth-place and breeding of my deceaſed Father of Godlie Memorie. For whoſe care of my Education in Letters, as I did owe him all filiall dutie and gratitude while he lived, ſo do I ſtill in Remembrance of him carry all affectionat reſpect to that place where he had his firſt being and upbringing, and whoſe proſperitie I ſhall ever heartlie wiſh, and that the Lord who hath ſhowne it hard things that it might have ſaid, call me Marah, may ſo ſanctifie to it that ſad viſitation, and proſper that Place hereafter, that it may bee Naomi, or as the Prophet ſpeakes (Iſai. 61. 3.) He may give it Beautie for Aſhes, the oyle of ioy for mourning, and the garment of prayſe for the spirit of heavineſs. Which ſhal be the heartie prayer of
Your moſt affectionat, in Chriſt to honour & ſerve you, WILLIAM GUILD.