An Earnest Plea for a Gospel Communion in the Way of Godliness, Preface
The PREFACE. To all that wish well to the progress of our own Reformation at home, and to the good of the Protestant Cause, which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ abroad.
Loving and Christian Reader,
THe Protestant Divines who were yet remaining of the Palatinat, of the Territories of Nassaw, of Hanaw, and other parts adjacent, in the yeare 1633. when I was in Germanie, made it their particular sute unto us of these parts, that we would assist them in the way of the Gospel with some spiritual helpe, by putting forth a full and compleat Bodie of Practical Divinitie, which might easily be compiled out of our English Authors, and Translated into Latine for the generall use of all Christians, and the particular benefit of their Churches and Universities.
The effect of this Sute, before the beginning of this Parliament, could not be obtained for want of countenance from those who then were in Places of Ecclesiastical Authoritie; and since the sitting thereof, the sollicitation of this matter hath been interrupted, by reason of the publique Distractions of this State, and the unsettlement of these our Churches.
But seeing God doth seeme to favour us with the hope of some rest and settlement, I conceive we are obliged, so farre as he shall open a door unto us, to improve the Talents which we have received, not onelyonly towards a further advancement of our own Reformation; but also towards the Edification of all men in the Gospel, by the discovering of the wayes of God …; whereunto the publishing of a full bodie of Practicall Divinity, may by Gods blessing become a special help.
Seeing then the Divines of those parts our Brethren in the Gospel, were pleased to intrust me with their desires of this kind, that I should propose the same to you, to sollicite the effect thereof in their name; and seeing I did chearfully undertake this task for love to the Work it selfe, and did faithfully engage my selfe unto them, to endeavour the accomplishment of their request: I think my selfe bound in Conscience at this seasonable time to offer it to your pious thoughts, in the express words of their own Petition, and in some Considerations which I have annexed unto the matter thereof.
Therefore in the first place, you shall find here a Copie of of their Petition in Latine, with the severall subscriptions, whereof the Original writings are in my hand, which I have put in English to satisfie Vulgar Capacities: Then in the second place, you will find three considerable matters concerning this sute represented unto you.
1. What is meant by a Bodie of Practical Divinitie.
2. What the Reasons are, for which it ought to be published.
3. How the Work may be effected, and imparted unto those that have sued for it at our hands.
VVhichWhich having endeavoured to make you sensible os, as a work most acceptable unto God, most suteable to the Gospel, most profitable unto the Godly, very usefull unto all, very honourable unto these our Churches, and not difficult in it selfe to be effected, if it receive but a little Countenance, I shall by the further prosecution thereof, as God shall give me addresses and opportunities, rest satisfied in this (whatever the success and event may be) that I have not been wanting to the discharge of my dutie, nor to the desires of the faithful. so farre as God hath enabled me to proceed towards the accomplishing of the same. And thus commending to the grace of God thy sense of this businesse, I shall subscribe my selfe thy Servant therein.
John Dury.