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    Bolton, Samuel Author Profile
    Author Bolton, Samuel
    Denomination Nonconformist
    Preface Guard of the Tree of Life Text Profile
    Genre Preface Treatise Doctrinal
    Date 1644
    Full Title "No title" In: Bolton, Samuel. The Guard of the Tree of Life [...]
    Source Wing B3520
    Sampling Sample 1
    Text Layout
    The original format is octavo.
    The original contains new paragraphas are introduced by indentation,first paragraphas are introduced by decorated initial,contains elements such as change of font,
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    TO MY BELOVED FRIENDS, The Godly and Well-affected of Saviours-Southwark; Grace and Peace.

    Beloved,
    IT is now well-nigh four
    yeeres since I was removed
    from a loving, a
    very loving people in
    the City, and fixed among you; the
    expresses of love which in this time
    I have received from you, have put
    me on to think, what way I might
    again manifest my ingagements to
    you: And considering with my self
    the relation wherein I stand, I could

    A 3

    1
    think of no better way of acknowledgement
    then to impart something
    spirituall to you; and no better subject
    then this which is now presented
    to your view, nor could I think of a
    better time then this for the doing of
    it, when God in our blood shewes us
    what a fearfull thing it is to be guilty
    of the blood of his Sonne; It is not
    unknown unto you, how greatly this
    place above many others, hath been
    guilty of the prophanation of this Ordinance
    of the Lords Supper; God
    hath discovered it to us, humbled us
    for it, shewed us the necessity, and
    graciously inclined your spirits to the
    desire of the reformation of it. In reference
    to which through the countenance
    and assistance of you my brother
    Minister and my self, have adventured
    to set upon the work, being
    willing to put our selves to no
    little trouble, if by that wee might
    prevent a great deal of sin. In this
    work the searcher of hearts knowes
    we have had no other design, then to
    2
    express our Pastorall duties, and declare
    our Pastorall affections towards
    your souls: In short, to serve you in
    love: Probably we may meet with many
    obstacles in the carrying on this
    work; Indeed, it is that which is
    expected; nay, and that which wee
    reckoned on before we entred on it.
    But if the work be God's, hee will
    either facilitate and make it easie for
    us, or give us spirits proportionable
    to the greatness of it, I say hee will
    either lessen the difficulties, or heighten
    our spirits to conflict and incounter
    with them.
    There are two sort of adversaries
    which we expect to meet withall: some
    that will say, we go too far, and others
    who will blame us that we go no further.
    To them that think we have gone
    too far, I shall only say, that we hope
    we have not gone beyond God's bounds;
    sure as God hath a purpose this Ordinance
    should be continued, so hee

    A 4

    3
    hath a care also, that it should be fenced
    from prophanation in the continuance
    of it; and when a better way
    shall be discovered to us, wherein we
    may hold up the use of this Ordinance,
    and yet fence it in the use of
    it from evident prophanation, wee
    are ready to listen to it, and be thankfull
    for it; in the mean, wee do not
    see it our duty to hold up the use of
    this Ordinance, except there be some
    fence set up all former fences being
    insufficient, and now broken down
    to keep this Ordinance from manifest
    prophanation, unless you will say
    our Pastorall office doth, in the exercise
    of it, necessitate us to sin. Much
    more might be said, if wee saw it either
    requisite or convenient for an
    Epistle.
    To those who blame us we go no further,
    I must say our design hath bin rather
    to tempt on, by going their pace,
    then to discourage by over-driving
    our little ones, I say it hath been our
    4
    aim to cherish, not to quench, to draw
    out, not to suppress the graces of our
    people; and therefore have we desired
    to improve those graces which wee
    found, though weak, rather then to
    expect that which was not to be
    found. Our present reformation, it
    is not the measure of our will, but of
    our power; it is not the utmost wee
    desire, but the utmost wee are able:
    And though it may seem small to you,
    yet despise not the day of small things;
    though the house is not built, yet wee
    rejoyce the first stone is laid, and wee
    could not choose but bring it forth
    with shouting, Grace, Grace, unto it,
    and Glory, Glory to the Lord. Babylon
    was not built in a day, neither
    is Sion; God carries on his works
    without us, as he doth his works within
    us, by degrees; the greatest fire
    was at first a spark, the tallest Oak
    at the first an Achorne, the strongest
    Christian had his infancie, and the
    greatest work of God its mean beginnings;
    5
    Would the corruption of former
    times have suffered our godly
    predecessours, to have left the work
    in that forwardness to us, in which
    through God's blessing, it may be left
    to them who shall succeed, possibly,
    nay probably, the work might have
    been carryed on to a greater height
    then now it can; That which is done
    wee desire to bless God for it, and
    think it our duty to cherish with our
    utmost prayers and indeavours; In
    relation to which, these ensuing Sermons
    formerly preached, are now
    printed, to which work, if they shall
    be any thing serviceable, they have
    obtained the end of him,
    Who is not unwilling to
    spend, and be spent
    for you:
    S. BOLTON.
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