Redemption from the Curse, Title page – Dedication 1
Mount EBAL Levell'd, OR REDEMPTION FROM THE CURSE.
Wherein are Diſcovered,
1. The wofull condition of Sinners under the Curſe of the Law.
2. The nature of the Curſe, what it is, with the ſymptomes of it, in its Properties, and Effects.
3. That wonderful diſpenſation of Chriſts becoming a Curſe for us.
4. The Grace of Redemption, wherein it ſtands, in oppoſition to ſome groſs Errors of the times, which darken the truth of it.
5. The excellent Benefits, Priviledges, Comforts, and Engagements to duty, which flow from it.
By Elkanah Wales, M. A. Preacher of the Goſpel at Pudſey in York-ſhire.
O piiſſime, frange eſurientibus panem tuum, meis quidem (ſi dignaris) manibus, ſed tuis viribus
Bernard. ſuper Cantic. Serm. 1.
London, Printed by R. Trott, for Tho. Johnſon, at the Golden Key in St. Pauls Churchyard. 1659.
The Epiſtle Dedicatory. To the Right Honourable THOMAS Lord FAIRFAX.
Right Honourable,
IT may ſeem ſomewhat ſtrang, that one of ſo low a name, and as low deſert (eſpecially being ſo far gone towards the Sunſet of his day here below) ſhould now in this preſs-oppreſſing Age, hazard himſelf thus upon the publike ſtage, I hope, I may ſpeak it in truth: it is not any itching deſire to be ſeen in print, that hath prevailed with me to make this adventure. The great Motive was this. Sundrie of my worthy freinds both Miniſters, and private Chriſtians (which conceive a better opinion of me, than I doe of my ſelf) have ſometimes expreſſed their deſires, that I would leave ſomething behind me, before I ſhall goe hence and be no more, which might conduce to the building up of my hearers in their moſt holy faith, and obedience. This invitation, comming from ſeveral hands, and ſo frequently renewed, after along time of ſerious debating it within mine owne breſt, I inclined to think it might be the call of God. VVhereupon I reſolved to make choice of ſome fit ſubject, to handle in mine ordinarie miniſtration at home; and having pitched upon this, and brought it to a period by the good hand of God upon me (notwithſtanding many interruptions), I ſhall now ſend it forth, to ſhift for it ſelf in the crowd. I have no reaſon to account it any thing worth, as it commeth from me. I freely acknowledg, that I fail very much in the manner of handling? yet the Argument it ſelf is of ſpecial neceſſity, and worth, touching upon the three maine Pillars, or principles of Chriſtian Religion. viz. Mans miſerie by the fall, his Recoverie by Chriſt, and his Duty, ariſing thereupon. If the Lord be pleaſed to give it favour in the eyes of his people, and to make it uſefull to raiſe the price of the grace of Redemption in the hearts of thoſe that heard it, or of any others, and to engage them more ſtrongly to the love, and ſervice of their dear redeemer, I have my whole deſire.
I humbly crave leave, that I may inſcribe it to your Lordſhips Name, thereby to manifeſt ſome ſmall Teſtimonie of my thankfulneſs for your many undeſerved favours. You were pleaſed to take notice of me in the time of the fi…ſt wars, and ever ſince, as occaſion was offered, to looke upon me, with a far fairer aſpect, than I could deſire. Although I am a man of a mean parentage, and condition in the world, and formerly a ſtranger to your Honour, yet you received me as a miniſter of Jeſus Chriſt, and have ſhewed forth a tender care of my welfare (a rare condeſcenſion in perſons of ſo high rank), beſides many reall kindneſſes, making me at ſundrie times very noble offers of places of conſiderable profit, for my better ſupport, and more comfortable progreſs in the Lords work.
How much your Lordſhip hath deſerved of this Nation, by managing the militarie affaires of it, to the apparent hazard of your eſtate, health, and life too, is ſo famouſly known to all, that I am willing to hope, that this age (although otherwiſe unthankfull enough) cannot ſo eaſily forget it, as not to ſend down the memorie of it to poſteritie.
Your love to true godlineſs in the power of it, your readines to ſupply the neceſſity of the Sts. your affectionatneſs to faithful Miniſters, your care to provide godly Preachers for all places, where you have power, or intereſt, and to allow them comfortable ſaleries for their labours, theſe and the like good works do praiſe you in the gates, in the hearts & tongues of all thoſe, which either know, or have heard the report of them.
But I am perſwaded that the lowlines of your ſpirit, cannot willingly heare a trumpet ſounding forth your praiſes. Therefore I forbeare. The Lord direct your heart into the love of God, and the patience of Chriſt, put under his hand, to ſupport you in all your weakneſſes, and afflictions, and conferre upon you all ſpirituall bleſſings in heavenly places preparing for ſalvation, which ſhall be the dayly prayer of.
Your Lordſhips humble ſervant Elk: Wales