Divinity Knots Unloosed, Title page – Dedication
Divinity-knots Ʋnlooſed.
OR A CLEARE DISCOVERY of truth; by reſolving many doubts, according to Scripture, Orthodox Divines, and ſound Reaſon, ſo as weake capacities may receive ſatisfaction therein.
TO WHICH PURPOSE, A Number of Points are explained by familiar Simile's.
A TREATISE INTENDED ſpecially for the inſtruction of young Chriſtians in ROTHSTORNE pariſh in CHESHIRE: But publiſhed for a further extent of the benefit thereof, to the Iſrael of GOD.
By Adam Martindale, one of the meanest Labourers in the LORDS Harveſt.
2 Tim. 2.7.
Conſider what I ſay, and the Lord give you underſtanding in all things.
1 Pet. 5.10.
The GOD of all grace — make you perfect, ſtabliſh, ſtrengthen, ſettle you.
London, Printed for John Hancock, in Popes head Alley, neere the Royall Exchange, 1649.
Divinity-knots Ʋnlooſed.
OR A CLEARE DISCOVERY of truth, according to Scripture, Orthodox Divines, and ſound Reaſon, ſo as weake capacities may receive much ſatisfaction and benefit.
Herein ſeventy five Doubts are reſolved, drawne from theſe ſeverall heads moſt in Controverſie.
Viz. Touching the Scriptures, and God: his Decree and Creation.
Of Providence.
Of the fall of man.
Of the Law of God, and the two Covenants.
Of Chriſt the Mediator,
Of Free-will.
Of Calling, Juſtification, Adoption, Sanctification, Faith, Repentance, and good Workes.
Of Perſeverance, and Aſſurance.
Of Chriſtian Liberty, and Liberty of Conſcience.
Of the Civill Magiſtrate, and Church-Cenſures.
Of Religious Worſhip, and of the Sabbath day.
Of Oathes.
Of the Church.
Of Communion of Saints.
Of the Sacraments.
By Adam Martindale, one of the meanest Labourers in the LORDS Harveſt.
London, Printed for John Hancock, in Popes head Alley, neere the Royall Exchange, 1649.
To my Deare and precious Father, CAPTAINE JAMES JOLLIE: AND To my preſent, and quondam Hearers, at Rothstorne in Cheſhire, and Gorton in Lancaſhire.
Dearely Beloved,
THough the Title-page informs you for whoſe ſake I was eſpecially induced to write this ſmall Treatiſe; it was neuer intended by me, that any party of you ſhould wholly monopolize my thoughts of love and Chriſtian reſpect; but howſoever my duty preſſeth me more, in reference to the charge I daily undergoe, then to thruſt my Sickle into anothers Harveſt: Yet ſince this comes on the publique Theatre, you may all challenge as well a ſhare in it, as the Author whom all of you may juſtly claime (though in different relations peradventure) to be your owne. Concerning the Booke it ſelfe, it behoves me not to ſay much; To diſpraiſe it beyond my owne judgment, were ſinfull modeſty; to praiſe it above deſert, unſufferable arrogancy. Medio tutiſſimus, &c. The beſt courſe is to leave it to your Chriſtian peruſall, and charitable ſurvay; and ſo I doe; telling you onelyonly, that nothing, ſave the weakneſſe is mine owne. For the main ſubſtance (though the moſt of it came immediately out of my memory in this forme you ſee it, without any conſiderable conſulting of Authors) was of that ſtore, which in reading the Scripture, and other Divinity Bookes, and hearing Sermons, conferences, &c. I had before treaſured up. Some things indeed there be, which you ſhall hardly meet with in any VVorke yet extant; but thoſe I alſo diſclaime as none of mine: For ſo farre as the truth of GOD appeareth in them, the ſpirit of God, the guide to, and in all ſaving truth (in whoſe hand I am at the beſt but an Inſtrument) may juſtly appropriate it to himſelfe, as his right and due. Though ſometimes I am forced to claſh with unſound opinions, I hauehave concealed the Authors Names, as having a deſire to vindicate the truth, not to provoke any to vindicate himſelf: for which cauſe I have not onelyonly declined all bitterneſſe of expreſſion (which I think below a Chriſtian at all times) but alſo the recitall of their owne words formally (contenting my ſelfe with the matter) leaſt it ſhould too plainely appeare who owneth the Tenets I oppoſe. If notwithſtanding all this, any be diſpoſed to wrangle with me, I ſhall hardly trouble the VVorld, or my ſelfe ſo far, as to rejoyne to ſuch replyes: But if I be reaſoned with in the ſpirit of meekneſſe, whether it be in this publique way, or any other, I dare with a ſafe conſcience (and ſhall be ready as my occaſions will permit) to give an account, in a brotherly way, to any that ſhall deſire ſatisfaction, concerning any thing herein aſſerted: Thus I commet both you, and this ſmall piece to the bleſſing of GOD, remaining,
Yours in the affaires of the Goſpell, A: Martindale. Strethill, Aprill, the 9. 1649