An Antidote Against the Poisonous Weeds of Heretical Blasphemies, Title page – To the reader 2
AN ANTIDOTE AGAINST THE Poyſonous VVeeds OF HERETICAL BLASPHEMIES, Which During the deplorable interval of Church-Government have grown up in the Reforming Church of England. As it was lately preſented to the Church of God at Great YARMOUTH. By IOHN BRINSLEY, Miniſter of the Goſpel there.
August. 10. 1650.
Imprimatur,
EDM. CALAMY.
London, Printed by T. R. & E. M. for Ralph Smith at the ſigne of the blew Bible in Corn-hill neer the Royal Exchange. 1650.
Chriſtian Reader.
AS many other profitable Treatiſes formerly publiſhed by this Reverend Author; So that called The Arraignment of the preſent Schiſme of New Separation in old England, and this Antidote againſt Heretical Blaſphemies, do repreſent him, like that tree of bleſſing, which bringeth forth his fruit in his Pſal. 1. 3. Prov. 25. 11.ſeaſon. The ſeaſonableneſſe of this Piece (which Gods good Providence hath brought to thine hand) will adde both luſter and life Ezek. 9. 4.unto it, in the hearts of all them, who ſigh and cry for the many abominable blaſphemies which are in theſe ſad times, impudently belched out into the face of Divine Majeſty. The ſubject-matter of this Treatiſe is neceſsary, that the nature, kinds and degrees of blaſphemy may be underſtood, that men guilty, may be convinced, and all others ſecured from ſo horrid an evill, both as Principals and Acceſſaries. And the manner of handling this Subject will render it acceptable to the ingenuous and right godly Chriſtian; for, the method is clear, the phraſe of ſpeech ſmooth and pithy, the Scripture proofs apt and pregnant; yea, there is a veyn of Scripture evidence and authority running through the whole body of this diſcourſe. Herein the learned and laborious Author, ſhews himſelf 2 Tim. 2. 15.to be approved unto God, a Workman, that needeth not to be aſhamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Although my ancient and increaſing loves might move me to give a larger Character of him, upon long experience▪ yet I will be ſilent, for Prov. 31. 31.his works do ſufficiently praiſe him in the gates.
I am Thine in the Service of Chriſt. Simeon Aſhe. Auguſt. 24. 1650.
To the CHRISTIAN READER.
Chriſtian,
THoſe Preſervatives which are ſoveraignly uſeful at all times, cannot in times of common Contagion be reputed uſeleſſe, or unſeaſonable. Upon that account it is, that I have now adventured theſe few Meditations to a publike view. Surely, if ever there was a time of ſpiritual Contagion, ſuch is this, whereinto Providence hath caſt us at this day in this Nation; wherein the Plague of Hereticall Blaſphemy is grown ſo deſperately Epidemical, that many (once ſeemingly precious) ſouls are now infected with it. Alaſſe what ſad tokens (I cannot ſay Gods, but the Devils Tokens) are now to be ſeen upon ſome of them, in whom not long ſince the Image of God to the judgment of Charity was hopefully conſpicuous; in ſo much that without a miracle of mercy there is little hope of their Recovery. And who is there that hath the heart of a Chriſtian, but out of a ſad reſentment of ſo dreadful an Evil yet growing and ſpreading, would willingly contribute all poſſible Counſels and Endeavours for the healing of it? To this end it is that I have now communicated this Antidote, which (as I am aſſured it can be hurtful to none, ſo) if it may be helpful to any, whether by way of Prevention, or Cure, I have what I aymed at, and ſhall reſt,
Thine in the ſervice of our common Lord, JOH. BRINSLEY. Yarmouth, August 22. 1650.