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Preface Treatise Containing The Doctrine of Godliness
Text Profile
Genre
Preface Treatise Doctrinal
Date
1648
Full Title
"No title" In: Norton, John. A brief and excellent treatise Containing The Doctrine of Godliness, or Living unto God. [...]
Source
Wing N1315
Sampling
Sample 1
The original format is octavo.
The original contains new paragraphas are introduced by indentation,contains elements such as change of font,
THE PUBLISHER To the Courteous READER.
TO be tedious in Prefacingwhere the Work is so short,
would be prejudicial both to
the Author that hath studied, and the
Reader that delights in brevity: Yet
because the world is grown to such a
frame, that little though never so
excellent is now respected, if not
commended, accept a word or two.
The subject cannot but please any
who is cordially affected to approve
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1
himself to God and the world, bywalking in all godliness and honesty:
To live, is the desire of the creature;
to live to sin, of a sensual and corrupt
creature; to live unto God, of
a new creature: If Christ be in us
we are new creatures, and so shall
daily be renewed in strength and
grace, till we attain to that state
where old things shall utterly vanish.
Among others, take this little Treatise,
attend to it, and in these giddy
times, wherein poor souls seem to be
bewitched and led captive with the
enticing words of Mens Doctrines,
thou mayest have a direction to lead
thee toward thine end, the enjoyment
of God.
Touching the Author, though he
be far above my commendation, or
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the worlds usual expectation; yet,lest the ignorance of him should prejudice
his worth, and so the benefit of
his Labors, Honesty requires me to
speak what Modesty justly denies
him to publish. Where he is he is
eminent honorable among the Worthies;
yea without injury to any
one of the chief. Whosoever reads
this which is but a piece of him let
him, if he can, justly deny his abilities
and learning. If any fall out with
his Opinion concerning Church-power,
let him, before he censure, read his
Answer to Apollonius in Latine,
and then if he be not fully satisfied,
let him censure on, or disprove it if
he can, and let the Author have his
Plea to make it good, and then let the
world judge who hath the best.
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To trouble thee no farther, asthere are diversities of subjects, so
there are diversities of gifts, that
every one whose eye is to heaven,
may have somewhat spoken suitable
to his own heart: It may be what
satisfaction thou hast missed elsewhere,
thou mayest receive here. Read
thou, and God give thee understanding
in all things.
Farewel.
J. W.