A53723:7
The principles of the doctrine of Christ
The principles of the doctrine of Christ: unfolded in two short catechisms, wherein those principles of religion are explained, the knowledge whereof is required by the late ordinance of Parliament, before any person be admitted to the sacrament of the Lords Supper. For the use of the congregation at Fordham, in the county of Essex. By John Owen pastor there.The principles of the doctrine of Christ: unfolded in two short catechismes, wherein those principles of religion are explained, the knowledge whereof is required by the late ordinance of Parliament, before any person bee admitted to the sacrament of the Lords Supper. For the use of the congregation at Fordham, in the county of Essex. By John Owen pastor there.
London: printed by R. Cotes for Philemon Stephens, 1645
Title page typeset from the transcription.
To the reader: TO My loving Neighbours and Christian Friends, at FORDHAM.
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.
TO My loving Neighbours and Christian Friends, at FORDHAM.
Brethren,
MY hearts desire and request unto God for you is, that ye may be saved: I say the truth in Christ also, I lye not, my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness, and continual sorrow in my heart, for them amongst you, who as yet walk disorderly, and not as beseemeth the Gospel, little labouring to acquaint themselves with the mystery of godliness; for many walk, of whom I have told you often weeping, and now tell you again with sorrow, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose God is their ⟨image 3⟩belly, who mind earthly things. You know (Brethren) how I have been amongst you, and in what manner, for these two years past; and how I have kept back nothing (to the utmost of the dispensation to me committed) that was profitable unto you; but have showed you and taught you, publicly, and from house to house, testifying to all, repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lor• Jesus Christ. Now with what sincerity this hath bin by me performed; with what issue and success by you received, God the righteous Judge will one day declare; for before him, must both you, and I appear, to give an account of the dispensation of the glorious Gospel amongst us: in the mean while, the desire of my heart is, to be servant to the least of you in the work of the Lord. And that in any way, which I can conceive profitable unto you either in your persons or your families. Now amongst my endeavours in this kind, after the Ordinance of public Preaching the Word, there is not, I conceive, any more needful, (as all will grant that know the estate of this place, how taught of late days, how full of grossly ignorant