THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY. To theRight worlliipful, His Reverend, learned , and worthy freinds, and Brethren,theHeads and Governours of the Colledges,andHalls in the Univerfity ofOxFORD. S I R S, He dedication of Bookes to the names ofmen Worthy, and ofe- fteem in their generation, takes fandtuary in foCatholiek and Anci- ent prcfcription that to ufe any defenfative about my walkingin the famepath, cannot but forfeit the lofs offomewhat more , then thepaines that would be (pent therein. Now although in addreffes of this kind,men ufually prevaile themfelvesdale occalon to de liver their thoughts as to particulars, in great variety according as theirconcernmentsmay be ; yet the Reafons which are general- ly pleaded as diredtions for the choife of them, to whomwith their labours, and writings they fo addrefs themfelves , are forthe molt part uniforme ; and 'n their various courfe , tranfgrefs not the Rules ofcertaine heads, from whence they flow. Toesprefs a gratitude for refpedts and favours received , by retur- ning things in their kind eternal , for thofe which are bet temporal : ro obtaineCounte- nance and Approbation unto their endeavours in their breaking forth into the world , froth names ofmore elteem , orat leaffmore knowne, then theirown t to advance in reputeby a Correfpondency in Judgment with men offuck efteem , intimated thereby;are the more in- genuous aimes ofmen in thededications of their writings. Though there , and fundry other pretences of the fame kind, might ;Wily be drawn into my plea, for this addrefsunto you;yee your peculiar defignation and Appointment , through thegood hand of the providence of God , to the defence of the Gofpel; andyour eminent Furnifhment withAbilities from the fame hand, for the performanceofthat glorious duty,is that alone,upon theaccount where- of I have fatisfied my felfe,and hope that I maynot diffatisfie othets,as to thisprefent Appli- cation. What there is ofmy own peculiar concernment,wherein I am like to obtaineamore favourable Condefcention in Judgment , as to my prefent undertaking from you , then from other men , will in the cfofe ofmy addref, crave leave tohave mention made there- of. Brethren! the outward obligations that are upon you from the God of truth , withthe Advantages which hehath intruftedyou withal , for the defenceofhisTruth,above themolt of men in the world, are evident,even to them that maitre by the gray, and turne little Miele to the confiderationof things of this nature , importance, and Condition. And it is tomean evidence ofno fmall incouragement,that God will yet gracioully ins ployyou in the work and labour of his Gofpel,by his conftant giving a mifcarryingmombe to all them,who have attem- pted to defraud the Nation, and the Churches ofGod therein,ofthole helpes and furtheran- ces ofPiety and Literature, with whole management,for their fevice, you are at prefent in- trufled. Of the Jewelsof Silver andGold, whereof by the Lord's appointment,the Children of Ifraelcoming out from amongft them, fpoiled the Egyptians, didthey dedicate to the Ta- bernacle in the wildernefs; when, the Lordplanted theHeavens , andlaid the foundations of the Earth; and(aid to Sion Thon arr my people. Though force outward provifions,and furnitures of Literature, now, through the good hand of God, made ferviceable to you in your Atten- dance upon the great Worke , and imployment committed to you , were firft depofited,when ehickdarknefs was over the land: Yet that they may be madeeminently fubfervient to the will ofGod , in railing up againe the Tabernacle of David,that mat fain down, the Experienceofa few yeares I no waydoubt, will abundantly reveale and manifeft. That in the vicifíitudeof all things given them by tie myflerious and dreadful wheeles of providence , yourgood things alto , (as every thing else that is pleafant and deferable , or given of God unto the Sons of men bath done ) have fallen into the poffeflion and difpofal of men , force enemies, others utterly ufelefs and unfruitful to the Lord intheir generations,cannot bedenyed: But what is there in his waies , or worfhip, in his wotkes,or word,that God hath not, at fame feafon or other delivered into the power of thernen office world, though they have abufed and perverted them to their owndeárud'ion ? Neither is there any other ufe of this Confideration,but only to informe them,of the Obligations they lye under, to a due and zealous improvement of them, towhofeTrull and Care the Lord comrnitts any ofhis mer- ges,when he relines them from the Captivity,under which they have been detained,by uns godly men. This is now your lot,and cond tion,ìn reference to many who for fundry generati- ons,poffeffed chafe places,andadvantages ofeminent fervice for thehouse ofour god,which 54 yott
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