Judahs Joy at the Oath, Dedication
IUDAHS IOY AT THE OATH. LAYD OVT IN A SERMON ON the 2 Chro. 15, 15. for Englands example in embracing the Parliamentary Covenant with readineſſe and rejoycing.
Hereunto is annexed a briefe and moderate Anſwere to the Proteſtation Proteſted; diſcovering the unſoundneſſe of that interpretation of the Nationall Covenant, and the weakneſſe of the grounds there ſuggeſted for Separate and independant Churches.
By IOHN GEREE Maſter of ARTS, and PREACHER of GODS WORD in TEWKESBURY.
Publiſhed by order of the Houſe of Commons.
PSALME 76.11.
Vow and pay unto the LORD your GOD.
LONDON, Printed by R. Oulton for John Bartlet, and are to be ſould at the ſigne of the gilt Cup by Saint Auſtins Gate, 1641.
TO THE Right VVorſhipfull NATHANAEL STEPHENS Eſquire, one of the Knights of Parliament, for the County of Gloceſter: Grace and peace in CHRIST JESUS.
SIR,
YOur courteous intelligence touching the Parliamentary Ʋow, occaſioned theſe meditations preſented unto you: It is our Office to communicate the good which we our ſelves are partakers of. That good newes much refreſhed me, The next day after the opening of this text there entred into the Proteſtation above 400 of the Inhabitants of the Towne of Tewkeſbury.& I thought it my duty to comfort others with the ſame conſolations, that endeavor wanted not preſent fruite, ſome expreſſing preſent Joy, and very many quickly Ioyning in ſo good a worke. This incouraged me to make more common, what was firſt provided for a few, and then I could think of no fitter Patron then your ſelfe, not only for your long continued, and great reſpect to me, but eſpecially becauſe this, whatſoever it is, had its firſt riſe occaſionally from you: J expect not this ſhould add any light to you, but to others it may, and to you life. The worke you have in hand needs much incouragement, not only in regard of many difficulties which require Induſtry, but many affronts, and cenſures, which need patience to digeſt them, and ſome congratulations to ballance them: the beſt need Incouragement: And reſpective expreſsions even of Inferiours ſometimes enliven Superiours in place and grace. When Sant Paul ſaw the Brethrens reſpect in meeting him; Act. 28, 15. he thanked God and tooke courage. This Treatiſe may a little diſcover unto you, what good acceptance your Indeavors find with the beſt affected; They rejoyce in you, bleſſe God for you, and this I hope will make you with Saint Paul, thanke God, and if not adde to, yet confirme your courage for all good cauſes whatſoever the effect be: that is the ayme, and ſhalbe the continuall and earneſt prayer of him who is
Yours, much obliged in the Lord Jeſus, JOHN GEREE. From my Study in Tewkeſbury, Maii 24, 1641.