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Sermon preface of Repentance
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Genre
Date
1582
Full Title
"To the Reader." In: Dent, Arthur. A Sermon of Repentance. A verie godly and profitable Sermon, preached at Lee in Essex, by Arthur Dent, Minister of Gods worde. And published at the request of sundrie Godlie and well disposed persones. 1581. the 7. of Marche.
Source
STC 6649.5
Sampling
Sample 1
The original format is octavo.
The original contains first paragraphas are introduced by decorated initial,
To the Reader.
ALthough I wasmoste vnwillyng
yt this poore Talent
and trauaile
of myne should euer
haue bin broched
abroade, and come to light:
bothe because it maie seeme as a
Candle lighted at noone daie: as
also because many other mennes
doynges might more worthely a
greate deale haue been published,
and committed vnto letters: Yet
because diuerse whiche heard it
preached with a liuely voice, wer
verie instant, yea, and more then
importunate with me to haue it
published, vsyng suche reasons
as I could not well gainsaie, I
did at the laste yeelde to their request,
and so this vntimely fruite
is come abroad, to be sold in open
markettes. Let no man be offended
A.ii.
1
that I haue not strained myselfto flie an high pitche, to fome
out the frothe of mannes Wisedome,
and to make a great shewe
of learning, by blowing the bladder
of vanitie, till it burste with
swelling. For that is not my vse.
I seeke especially the saluation
of the simple, and ignoraunt, and
therefore stoupe doune to their
reache, and capacitie. Therefore
I beseche thee gentle Reader, accepte
my good meanyng: Reade
this without preiudice, like it as
thou profitest, so shalt thou
haue praise of GOD,
and comfort in thy
conscience.
A.D.