Title page, The hand-maid of repentance. Or, A short treatise of restitution. Written by Arth (Arthur Dent, 1614) | AskReformation
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The hand-maid of repentance. Or, A short treatise of restitution. Written by Arth
The hand-maid of repentance. Or, A short treatise of restitution. Written by Arth: Dent, Minister of Gods word at Southshoobery in Essex. As a necessary appendix to his Sermon of Repentance
Arthur Dent d. 1607London: printed by G. Eld for Thomas Thorp, 1614
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
THE zealous care of that religious and learned Teacher Mr. Dent, towards the edification of Gods house, in the exhortation of his people unto holiness of life; as it hath sufficiently approved it self to the general view of the World in divers worthy works of his now extant: so by the consent of many
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devout and judicious Christians, it hath not in any one piece or other of his doing, more fully and truly expressed it self; than in that Sermon which himself first preached, and afterwards caused to be published, upon Repentance. It might have been supposed, that this delicate Age of ours would scarcely have put on so rough a garment. But the virtuous cunning of that excellent Artist, had so thick overlaced the same with heavenly promises and comfortable persuasions: that although at the first assaying thereof, it found it self inwardly pricked and perturbed; yet after a little wearing, and by
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daily use, the straightness thereof became both profitable and pleasing, and it rejoiced not a little to be so happily deceived. Behold here another piece of Work, made by the same hand, A short Treatise of Restitution: Array thy self likewise (good Christian) with this Vesture; being indeed an Ornament, which will make the rest of thy clothing appear more gracious. This is the true Touch-stone which tries thy repentance; and gives thee to God and the world either a true Christian, or a counterfeit. Be not afraid to use it: but as thou hast vouchsafed the former, of Repentance, to wear in
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thine heart, and hast thereby no doubt (if thou be a Christian) received great consolation; so let this latter, of Restitution, be as a Posy in thine hand, to thy more assured & greater comfort. This is the furniture which renders the guest acceptable at the heavenly marriage. If then thou desirest to be welcome to that Feast, enter thus suited. Now forasmuch as this so necessary and Christianlike a work, penned by so singular a Minister of the Gospel, and so much conducting to eternal bliss, hath by Gods goodness come unto my hands: and considering that Repentance is of small force where Restitution
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is wanting, as being the only Key which openeth the way unto Remission; I held my self bound in Christian Charity, to communicate the same unto my Brethren. Such Talents must not be hid, but put to usury, that they may be increased with profit.
THE zealous care of that religious and learned Teacher Mr. Dent, towardes the edification of Gods house, in the exhortation of his people vnto holinesse of life; as it hath sufficiently approued it selfe to the generall view of the World in diuers worthy workes of his now extant: so by the consent of many ⟨image 3⟩deuout and iudicious Christians, it hath not in any one peece or other of his doing, more fully aud truly expressed it selfe; than in that Sermon which himselfe first preached, and afterwardes caused to be published, vpon Repentance. It might haue been supposed, that this delicate Age of ours would scarcely haue put on so rough a garment. But the vertuous cunning of that excellent Artist, had so thicke ouerlaced the same with heauenly promises and comfortable perswasions: that although at the first assaying thereof, it found it selfe inwardly prickt and perturbed; yet after a little wearing, and by ⟨image 3⟩daily vse, the straightnesse thereof became both profitable and pleasing, and it reioyced not a little to be so happily deceiued. Behold heere another peece of Worke, made by the same hand, A short Treatise of Restitution: Array thy selfe likewise (good Christian) with this Vesture; being indeed an Ornament, which will make the rest of thy cloathing appeare more gracious. This is the true Touch-stone which tries thy repentance; and giues thee to God and the world either a true Christian, or a counfeit. Be not afraid to vse it: but as thou hast vouchsafed the former, of Repentance, to weare in ⟨image 4⟩thine heart, and hast thereby no doubt (if thou be a Christian) receiued great consolation; so let this latter, of Restitution, be as a Posie in thine hand, to thy more assured & greater comfort. This is the furniture which renders the guest acceptable at the heauenly marriage. If then thou desirest to bee welcome to that Feast, enter thus suited. Now forasmuch as this so necessary and Christianlike a worke, penned by so singuler a Minister of the Gospell, and so much conducting to eternall blisse, hath by Gods goodnes come vnto my hands: and considering that Repentance is of small force where Restitution ⟨image 4⟩is wanting, as being the onely Key which openeth the way vnto Remission; I held my selfe bound in Christian Charity, to communicate the same vnto my Brethren. Such Talents must not be hid, but put to vsury, that they may be increast with profit.
Praise God for the Author of so good a work; and use it to the rectifying of thine own conscience, that God may be glorified; which is the accomplishment of my desire. Farewell in the Lord.
Praise God for the Author of so good a worke; and vse it to the rectifying of thine owne conscience, that God may be glorified; which is the accomplishment of my desire. Farewell in the Lord.
The matter subject of Restitution is threefold: the first, satisfaction for things taken from the Owner: the second, of damage sustained; the third, of injuries offered. In all these Cases, a careful Christian ought to make Restitution, in manner and form as hereafter followeth: these circumstances considered.
THe matter subiect of Restitution is thréefold: the first, satisfaction for things taken from the Owner: the second, of damage sustained; the third, of iniuries offered. In all these Cases, a carefull Christian ought to make Restitution, in manner and forme as héereafter followeth: these circumstances considered.
