Zerubbabels Encouragement to Finish the Temple, Title page – Dedication
ZERƲBBABELS ENCOVRAGEMENT TO Finiſh the Temple.
A SERMON Preached before the Honourable Houſe of COMMONS, at their late Solemne Faſt, Apr. 27. 1642.
By THO. GOODWIN, B. D.
Publiſhed by Order from that Houſe.
REVEL. 11. 4. Theſe are the two Olive Trees, and the two Candleſticks ſtanding before the God of the earth, &c.
LONDON, Printed for R. DAWLMAN. 1642.
TO THE HONORABLE HOVSE OF COMMONS, Aſſembled in PARLIAMENT.
YOur Command giving me the opportunity, I took the boldneſſe to urge and encourage you to Church-Reformation, (which is the maine ſcope of this Sermon) a ſubject which otherwiſe (and in all other Auditories) I have beene ſilent in, and am no whit ſorry for it: For I account it the moſt fit and happy ſeaſon to utter things of this nature unto Authority it ſelfe, (although the people likewiſe are to know their duty.) My comfort is, that what I have ſpoken herein, I have (for the generall) (and I have ſpoken but generalls) long beleeved, and have therefore ſpoken.
You were pleaſed ſo far to owne me, as to betruſt me with this Service, to be Gods mouth in publique unto you; and alſo this Sermon of mine, as to command the publiſhing of it. Wherefore as in propriety it is now become yours, more then mine, or all the worlds: So let it be in the uſe of it. If it ſhall adde the leaſt ſtrengthening to your reſolutions, to keepe this purpoſe for ever in the thoughts of your hearts, I have what I aimed at. Goe on, (worthy Fathers, and Elders of this people) and proſper in, yea by this work; without which, nothing that you doe will proſper.—But the reſt I ſhall ſpeak to God for you. Let me be known to you by no other thing then this, To be one, whoſe greateſt deſires, and conſtant prayers are, and have been, and utmoſt endeavours (in my ſpheare) ſhall be for the making up the diviſions of the Church in theſe diſtracted times with love of Truth and Peace: And therein (to uſe Davids words) am
Wholly at your commandment, Tho: Goodwin.