An Anti-Diatribe, Title page – Preface
AN ANTI-DIATRIBE: OR THE APOLOGIE OF Some Miniſters and godly people, aſſerting the lawfulneſſe of their adminiſtring the Lords Supper in a ſelect company; Proving alſo the neceſſity of Examination in our Congregations, in order to a more holy Church-Fellowſhip.
Wherein a Paper is anſwered, bearing this title, viz, A Diatribe concerning the adminiſtration of the Euchariſt and Examination thereunto precedent.
Together, with A VINDICATION Of the Lords Supper from its manifeſt abuſe by a general admiſſion; Being an Anſwer to Mr. Humphrey.
By Humphrey Saunders Miniſter of Holleſ-worthy in Devon.
LONDON, Printed for Thomas Brewſter and are to be ſold by Joſeph Laughorne Bookſeeler in Truro. 1655.
The AUTHORS PREFACE INTRODUCTORY.
Chriſtian Reader,
I Had the liberty of two days to review this ſmall piece, before it fully paſſed the Printers hands. In this time I gathered the Errata which thou ſeeſt at the end of this; and have taken liberty to Preface it a little, for thy better underſtanding. That which now comes to thy hands was written ſome yeares ago; one part is in anſwer to a paper ſent me by an eminent Gentleman in the Weſt; who diſliking mine, and ſome other Miniſters practice, as to the Ordinance of the Lords Supper, did hereby put us to vindicate the truth, and our ſelves, as to the way walked in. After I had written this, I kept it by me many moneths, not ſuffering any copy to be taken, nor the papers to go farther then the ſight of ſome deare friends about us. I will not burthen thee with recitall of the cenſures which attended and prevented its comming forth; ſuch and ſo many, that had I conſulted with fleſh and blood, and been tender of mine own eaſe, this had been adjudged to ſilence. I was at length prevailed with to communicate the manuſcript, and ſo it came into the hands of ſome reverend Miniſters of London, who thought it worthy of a more publick view: Upon a letter from one of theſe I conſented to a publication, upon this ground (as the Lord knowes) that I apprehended and hoped ſome good might be done by it. Since this, theſe papers have layen in London, expecting the preſſe, and under it, more then a years ſpace. Theſe circumſtances have only this uſe, to excuſe the delay of the whole, and the unſeaſonableneſſe of a part, viz. that which relates to Mr. Humfrey, who hath ſince been anſwer'd by diverſe, and hath himſelf replyed unto one; here is not roome for much more; onelyonly this. There is not one Word added to what I wrote at firſt: I am likely to have occaſion to do ſomewhat more in this argument, which if the Lord call me unto, I hope to keep time better, and to amend the defects which ſhall be ſhewen me in this. This way of publick edifying is new to me, it's the leſſe marvel if I faile ſomewhat in matter and manner; though I appeare for ſeparation (in a ſenſe,) yet am I ſo far in love with Unity, that I hold it my duty to promote it among the godly, and (what I may) to bring all reformed Churches into it. I know no greater diſhonour lying (this day) upon the Goſpel, then our diviſions. O let me beg of thee one ſad and tender thought of this grievous evil. I muſt needs ſay, that not a few of the godly ſeeme much more inclined to peace, then they have been; bleſſed be his Name who hath wrought this. What, is it hard for men of the ſame ſpirit to walk in one way? Doth not the Lord ſpeake this to all the godly in the Land, in the language of Providence? [when they cannot rule over one another, they will agree;] God hath done the one, let us do the other: Shall leſſer differences alway divide thoſe who are one in the great things of the Kingdome of Chriſt? I am deceived, if ever Church-Reformation and Conſtitution prove comfortable and ſucceſſefull among us, unleſſe holding communion with other Churches, come to be a matter of more weight with us. I have no more but to commend this poore labour to the bleſſing of God, and ſubſcribe,
Thine, H. S.