An Earnest Plea for a Gospel Communion in the Way of Godliness, Letter 2
Ecclesiarum Magnae Britanniae at{que} Hyberniae patronis & Antistibus Primariis, Eximiis Dei servis, at{que} Ecclesiae Laborantis in Germania fautoribus Colendissimis, sit Gratia & Pax à Deo Patre, & Domino nostro Jesu Christo per Spiritû: sancti Communionem, AMEN.
DIversa Spiritûs Dei dona membris Ecclesiae diversis esse concessa, & sacra oracula testantur, & res ipsa loquitur; finem tamen cundeni Communis Aedificationis mutuae{que} utilitatis liquet Patri luminum, datori omnis doni perfecti, propositum esse in omnium donorum largitione. Apostolous enim dicit, Unicui{que} datam esse Spiritûs declarationem foreign: & alibi jubemur, Ut quis{que} accepit donum, ità alius in alium illud subministret, ut decet bonos gratiae Dei diversae foreign. Talentum enim quod à Deo singuli accepimus, fidei nostrae commissum est, ut illius dispensatores facti, non illud defodiamus, ut nequam ille servus, in terram; sed ad Domini emolumentum impendamus, ut cum fidelibus ejus servis, plura tam Domino quàm nobis ipsis lucrifacere talenta possimus.
Haec eò spectant, Illustres, Clarissimi{que} Viri, Reverendissimi{que}, at{que} Reverendi in Christo Patres & Fratres, ut, cùm nobis certo innotuerit inter Ecclesias Magnae Britanniae, Doctrinam Theologiae Practicae multorum piè Doctorum Ecclesiae vestrae Antistitum publicis scriptis egregiè excultam esse, at{que} ad usum Popularem insigniter accomodatam, at{que} eam solummodò linguae vestrae Cancellis tanquam reconditum ab exteris Nationibus thesaurum contineri, & asservari, maximàm{que} utilitatem ad omnes Ecclesias Christianas, praesertim autem Evangelicas redundaturam, si quae vobis in hoc genere peculiaria sunt, publicentur, itàut ab iis quo{que} legi & intelligi possint, ut (inquam, cùm hacità se habeant) Illustritatibus at{que} Reverentiis Vestris votum nostrum ac desiderium aperiamus, at{que} per sanctae Communionis in Christo vinculum, fraternaeq, libertatis Parrhesiam rogemus, vos praesertim quotquot inter Ecclesiarum Rectores, Protectores, & Fautores estis aedificationis Publicae verè studiosi, ne permittatis hoc Talentum tam pretiosumulteriùs abscondi & occultari ab Exoticorum manibus & oculis, sed velitis pro prudentia vestra, pro ferventis erga fraternas Ecclesias Charitatis, ac liberalis studii erga Dei gloriam in Evangeliipropagatione, pio zelo & affectu vestro rationen aliquam inire commodam, quâ Medulla Authorum in illo genere apud vos extantium & eminentium ex omnibus collecta in volumen aliquod conjiciatur, sive Locorum Communium, sive Systematis Theologiae practicae, quod publici juris sit, & omnium manibus teri possit linguâ notà & doctioribus communi: Audivimus pauca quaedam in Belgicum sermonem esse translata, quae magno usui sunt illis Ecclesiis & Theologiae studiosis.
Nuper etiam inter nos Germanico idiomate editus libellus ex Anglico versus de Praxi Pietatis ità omnes afficit Pietatis Cultores, ut indè religioni quae in pura modestà{que} veritatis coelestis professione consistit, accessionem permagnam fieri constet. Ideó{que} sperare nobis licet, si huic nostro voto accedat per vos favor requisitus, ut facilè inter vestrates (quibus ad haec & similia beneficia Ecclesia suae praestanda prae aliis tranquillitatem in hisee turbis, & facultates concessisse videtur divina dementia) inveniantur aliqui, qui colligendis, transferendis, digerendis, atque evulgandis Authorum praecipuis scriptis & meditationibus practicis non gravatè suas impendant operas, suum{que} talentum si id suadebitis; unde futurum confidimus, ut insigne Regnum Dei incrementum accipiat, si corpus absolutum talis doctrinae existet ex vestris scriptoribus, in quo tam in Theologia Tyrones studii sui, quàm Ecclesiarum varii Pastores Concionum suarum materiam invenire possint, aedificationi multò utiliorem quàm illa est quae hodie in scriptis Polemicis occurrit: it à a studio contentionis ad Charitatis non fictae affectus revocari poterunt multorum animi, ex quo …andem futurum sit, ut ad Deum imprimis gloria & gratiarum actio, ad Evangelii professores cum Sanctitatis & Pietatis studio Pax & Concordia, ad Ecclesias publica aedificatio, ad simpliciores pia Eruditio, ad pios afflictos, solida Spiritûs Consolatio; ad errantes & devios, salutaris Conversio; ad securos & carnales, vivida conscientiae exuscitatio; ad Hypocritas & obstinatos, clara perversitatis suae convictio; ad omnes etiam posteros, major lux veritatis perveniat; & ad illos denique qui suum in hoc studio Talentum collocabunt ad Regni Dei Promotionem, accedat illa vox quondam gloriosa & beata à Domino, qui rationem accepti Talenti conferet nobiscum, Bene est, Serve bone & Fidelis, in exiguo fuisti fidelis, super multa te constituam: Ingred…re in Gaudium Domini tui.
Quod gaudium omnibus iis quibus postulatum hoc nostrum patefiet, & gratum erit, cum omni corporali faelicitate ex animo vovemus. Valete in Domino Viri Excellentes, atque omni honore nobis colendi.
Dabantur Hanoviae 24 Febr. Anno 1633.
Joannes Daniel Wildius, Verbi Divin. Min & Ecclesiae Hanovicae Inspector.
Theodorus Leurelius, Ecclesiae Hanovica Minist.
Conradus Ammonius Concionator Aulicus, ibid.
Paulus Tossanus, S. Theolog. D. & Senatûs Ecclesiastici in inferiori Palatiuatu Electorali Assessor.
Clemens Boecius, Ecclesiae Gallicae Neo-Hanovicae Pastor.
Isaacus Boots, Pastor Ecclesiae Flandricae, quae Christo colligitur Hanoviae.
Matthaeus Rowyer, Ecclesiae Gallicae Neo-Han. Pastor.
M. Philippus Pareus Davidis Filius, Illustris Gymnasii Hanoviensis Rector & Professor.
Besides these, who had a meeting in the City of Hanaw (whereunto I was called at the time above written, purposely to offer this Petition unto me, and to engage me to follow it for them) others there were, who having been made acquainted with this desire of the forenamed Divines, did also joyn in the same suit by putting their hands to another Paper of the same Tenor at Herborn, and in some other places in March and April the same year 1633. Their names are these following.
Petrus Streithagen, Sereniss. Regis Bohemiae beatae memoriae Concionator Aulicus.
Joh. Moriaen, V. Div. quondam apud Ubios Minist. subscripsi Francofurt, 23 April 1633.
Philippus Suabelius, Hoingae Solmensis Ecclesiae Patriae Pastor.
John. Conradus Hopfius, V. D. Minist. in Comitatu Hanov. in Marchabel. Exul Palatinus.
Perutile hoc Propositum & commune fratrum Germanorum votum, meâ quoque subscriptione confirmare volui ego Henricus Meerbottius P. F. Pastor Stresheomi Ladenburgicus, in Elect. Palatiuatu
Johan. Irlin, Theol. Doct. Scholae Herbonensis Rector & Professor, Ecclesiae ejusdem Pastor, & Vicinarum Nassovicarum Inspector.
Mr. Casparus Stippius, Ecclesiae Siegenensis Archidiaconus; qui suo & reliquorum fratrum in Comitatu Nassovico Sieginensi, nomine subscripfit.
Johannes Arcularus, Ecclesiae Be…isteinsis Pastor, qui suo & reliquorum fratrum in Comitatu Nassovico Belistemeusi & Orzensi subscripsit.
Thomas Dorn, Pastor Altenkirchensis nomine Ecclesiarum Comitatus Sainensis,
This Letter in English speaks thus.
To the chiefe Patrons and Rulers of the Churches of Great Brittaine and Ireland, the eminent servants of God, and most respected favourers of the distressed Church in Germanie, be Grace and Peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, through the Communion of the Holy Ghost, Amen.
ALthough it is attested by the Holy Oracles, and the thing it selfe doth speak it, that to the severall Members of the Church, severall gifts of Gods spirit are bestowed; yet it is evident, that the Father of Lights the giver of every perfect gift, doth in the distribution of all his gifts, propose unto himself but one and the same end, which is the common edification and mutuall usefulness of all unto each other. For the Apostle saith, That the manifestation of the spirit is given to every one to profit withall; and elsewhere we are commanded, As every one hath received the gift, even so to minister the same unto one another, as good Stewards of the manifold grace of God: For the Talent which every one of us have received of God, is committed to our trust, that we being made distributers thereof, should not hide it in the ground as that unprofitable Servant did, but employ it to the advantage of our Lord, that with such servants as are faithfull unto him we may gain more Talents, both to our Masters use, and to our selves.
These thing Illustrious and Renowned Gentlemen, Most Reverend and Reverenced Fathers and Bretheren, are alledged to the end that we may acquaint you with our wishes and desires, that seeing we are certainly informed that in the Churches of Great Brittaine the Doctrine of Practicall Divinity, by the publique writings of many godly wise Ministers of your Churches, is brought to a great perfection, and that it is excellently fitted for the use of the Common people, but yet kept up as an hidden Treasure from the eyes of Forreine Nations, within the bounds of your own language alone; and that a very great benefit would accrue unto all Christian Churches, and chiefly to those that professe the purity of the Gospel, if so be those things which are peculiar unto you were published, so as by them they might also be read and understood: Seeing (we say) these things are so, our purpose is to acquaint your Honours and Worships with our wishes and desires; and by the bond of holy Communion in Christ, and with that confidence of speech which our brotherly freedom doth suggest, to intreat you (you chiefly who being Rulers, Protectors and Favourers of the Churches, are truly desirous to edifie the publique) that ye would not suffer so precious a Talent to be hid and concealed any longer from the hands and eyes of Forreiners; but that ye would accord…ng to the pious zeal and affection of servent Charity which ye have toward your Brother-Churches, and the bountifull care which ye have for the Glory of God in the propagation of the Gospell, take some convenient course, by which the Marrow of these Authors, which in that kind are exstant amongst you, and are of chief Note, may be gathered out of all into one Volum, either of Common places, or of a body of Practicall Divinity, which may be published and made use of by all in a tongue known and common to the learned.
We have heard that some few things have been translated into the low Dutch language, which are of great use unto those Churches, and their Schollars of Divinity.
Of late also there is a little Book of the Practise of Piety, translated out of English into our Germane tongue, which hath taken so much with many godly souls, that we find thereby wrought in them a very great growth of that Religious disposition, which doth consist in a pure and modest Profession of heavenly truth; for which cause we do hope, that if our wishes may obtain by your means the favour which is desired, that some of your Men (to whom God seemeth mercifully to have given in the midst of these troubles, both quietnesse and means to conferre these and such like benefits unto his Church) will easily be found, who without difficulty will at your perswasion, bestow their pains and their Talents, to Collect, to Translate, to Digest, and to publish the chiefe practicall Writings and Meditatio… of your Authors. Whence we are confident this will come to passe, that the Kingdom of God wil receive a notable inlargement, if a compleat body of such Doctrine out of your Writers were put forth; wherein as well the young Schollars of Divinity for their Studyes, as many Pastors of the Churches for their Sermons, might find matter far more usefull unto edification, then that is which now adayes is met with all in controversall writings. So that by this means, the minds of many men may be drawn back from the endeavours of strife, unto the affections of unfained Charity; whence afterward this will follow, that unto God in the first place, Glory and thanksgiving will redound; and then unto the Professors of the Gospell, with the care of holiness and pietie, peace and concord; to the Churches, publique Edification; to the simple sort, pious learning; to the Godly and afflicted, sound spirituall comfort; to the erring, and such as go astray, saving Conversion; to such as are secure and carnall, a lively wakening of their Conscience; to the Hypocrites and stubborn sinners, a clear discoverie of their perversness; and to all the Generations to come, a greater light of truth will be advanced: and lastly, unto those that shall bestow their Talent towards this endeavour for the advancement of Gods Kingdom, when he shall call us to an account of the Talent which we have received from him, that glorious and blessed voyce shall then come from the Lord unto them, Well done thou good and faithfull servant, thou hast been faithfull in a few things, I will make thee Ruler over may things; enter into the joy of thy Lord: which joy we wish from our heart, together with all temporall happinesse to all those to whom our request shall be made known, and with whom it shall find acceptance.
Farewell in the Lord excellent Gentlemen, whom with all respect we are bound to worship.
Given at Hanaw 24. Febrn. Anno 1633. By
John Daniel Wildins, Minister of Gods Word, and Inspector of the Churches of Hanaw.
Theodorus Lenrelius, Preacher of the Church of Hanaw.
Conradus Ammomus, Preacher to the Court of the same place.
Paulus Tossanus, Doctor in Divinity, and an Assessor of the Ecclesiastical Senate in the lower Electoral Palatinat.
Clemeus Boesius, Pastor of the French Church in New Hanaw.
Isaacus Boots, Pastor of the Flanders Church, which is gathered unto Christ in Hanaw.
Matthew Rouyer, Pastor of the French Church at New Hanaw.
Mr. Philip Pareus, Son to David Rector and Professor of the famous Colledge of Hanaw,
At Herborne in March, and elsewhere in Aprill, in the same yeare 1633. the same sute was renewed by these.
Petrus Streithagen, Preacher to the Court of the most Illustrious King of Bohemia of blessed Memorie.
John Moriaen, formerly Preacher of Gods Word amongst these of Collen. I did underwrite this at Francofurt, 23. April. Anno 1633.
Philip Suabelius of Hoing, in the County of Solms, Preacher to his Native Church.
John Conradus Hopifius, Minister of the word of God in the County of Hanaw in Mercabel an exiled Palatin.
I Henry Meerbottius for the present time, Pastor of Schesheim Ladenburg in the Electoral Palatinat, am willing to confirme also with my Subscription, this most profitable Intention and common wish of our Brethren of Germanie.
John Irlen, Doctor of Divinitie, Rector and Professor of the School of Her…orn, Pastor of the Church of the same place, and Inspector of the neighbouring Churches of Nassaw.
Mr. Casparus Stippius, Arch-Deacon of the Church of Siegen, who subscribed in his own name, and in the name of the rest of his Brethrer, in the County of Siegen in Nassaw.
John Arcularius, Pastor of the Church of Beilsteni, who subscribed in his own name, and in the name of the rest of his Brethren in the Counties of Beilstein and Ozen in Nassaw.
Thomas Dern, Pastor of Altenkirch, in the name of the Churches of the County of Sainen.
THis Letter doth sufficiently speak for it self; and the persons who did offer it, were in those parts none of the least considerable Protestants: nor is their number small, if you take notice of the Churches in whose name some have subscribed: and although the time since it was offered, may seem somewhat long, yet because that which hitherto could be done to obtain their desire, hath not beene neglected, though by several invincible impediments obstructed, because the expectation of obtaining it, is not vanished, but at this time raised: and because such a suite as this can never be out of date till it be fulfilled; nay although the first Petitioners should all be dead, it ought not the lesse conscionably to be regarded by those to whom it is made, because it doth not at all concern any temporall, or so much the particular convenience of those that make it, as the spirituall edification, and generall benefit of all the Churches of God, and of the ages to come in the Gospell. I say, because of all these considerations, and more that might be added, therefore I am willing to second their request, as I am many waies bound to do; and to that effect, I shall first shew my sense of the Bodie of Divinity, which I conceive will satisfie their demand; and then the Reasons why it ought to be, and manner how it may be made up.