The Christian Combat, Title page – Dedication
THE CHRISTIAN COMBATE, OR, A Treatise of Afflictions, With A Prayer and Meditation of the Faithfull soule, And A. Sermon vponupon the 50. Psal. Vers. 15.
By Master Peter Du Moulin, Minister of the Word of God, and Professor of Diuinity, in the Vniuersity of Sedan.
Faithfully translated into English by IOHN BVLTEEL, Minister of the Word of God, in the French Church of Canterbury.
LONDON, Printed by F.K. for I. Budge and N. Newbery, and are to be sold at the Greene Dragon in Pauls Churchyard. 1623.
To the most Reuerend Father in GOD, GEORGE, by the Diuine Prouidence, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of all England, and Metropolitane, &c.
Most Reuerend Father:
YOur Pietie, Zeale, Learning and Charity, is not onelyonly knowne of those of this Kingdome, but also of others in forraine Countries: for your Grace, next after our blessed Soueraigne and the Prince, is not only a Chariot of Israel, a shining Lampe in the Court, an Elisha to the widowes and children of the Prophets; but also an Obadiah, and an Ephron to the Abrahamites Strangers, Prophets and people persecuted, refuged into this Kingdome for conscience sake. Which things, with many more producing noble effects, make your Grace to be of a sweet-smelling sauour to God, to be in good fauour with our most gracious Soueraigne, and to be admired, reuerenced, & beloued both of the English Nation, and strangers both heere and abroad. And that which among other things makes your Grace famous, is your munificence; which appeareth not onelyonly in your founded Hospitall at Gilford, but also in that Mausolean Conduit, which your Grace hath caused to be built in this City of Canterbury. A Fountaine, not fabulously sprung vp, as that of Thomas Becket, who lying at his old house at Otford, Lamb. peramb. of Kent. 375.seeing that it wanted a fit spring to water it, strooke his staffe into the drie ground, (in a place thereof now called Saint Thomas Well;) where water immediatly appeared. Fox, Mon. …5.A Fountaine, not as that of this Citie of Canterbury in the selfe-same Beckets time, fondly reported to cure all diseases by his meanes. For what disease was there belonging to man or woman, which was not healed with the water of Canterbury? Aqua Cantuariensis.But this is a Fountaine naturally springing out of the earth, conueied to this Citie by pipes, cast into a great, strong and faire Cesterne with cost and expences; and that (as the two Histories, of Moses striking the Rocke, and Iacobs Well, painted on the Conduit, doe represent) for the vse and benefit of Gods people, for the clensing of the streets, and for the quenching of the fire in time of danger. And these two emblemes may also fitly represent the water of Life, which springeth from Iesus Christ the Rocke and Wel-spring of Life, which your Grace causeth to runne in the House of God, vnderunder our dread Soueraigne, to the refreshing of the soules of the faithfull. This monument with others, among the which are your learned bookes, will remaine as lasting and euerlasting testimonies and monuments of your Piety, Zeale, Learning, and Charity vntounto the end of the world. The consideration of which things (ouer and besides my bounden dutie to your Grace, for the fauour you shew to our French Congregation) hath emboldened mee to dedicate this Translation to your Grace, and shrowd it vnderunder your protection: Hoping your Grace will accept of it, both for the matter, and for the Religious and Learned Authours sake, and the Translatours vnfeined affection. Thus crauing pardon for my boldnesse, I beseech the chiefe Shepheard of our soules, to blesse with all kinde of graces Spirituall and corporall, your Graces person, estate, and endeuours; that as the rod of Aaron brought forth buds, and bloomed blossomes, and yeelded Almonds: So the Vine of Gods Church in this Kingdome, through the care your Grace hath ouer it, vnderunder so Religious a King, may bud and spread her branches more and more, and bring forth, and beare sweet grapes of Holinesse, Piety, Repentance, Obedience and Charity, to the glory of God, the benefit and cōfort both of Church and Common-weale in this Kingdome, and to your Graces honour and saluation, through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Your Graces, to be commanded in the Lord Iesus, IOHN BVLTEEL.