A78779:13
The door of truth opened
The door of truth opened: or, A brief and true narrative of the occasion how Mr Henry Burton came to shut himself out of the church-doors of Aldermanbury: published in answer to a paper, called, Truth shut out of doors: for the vindication of the minister and people of Aldermanbury, who are in this paper most wrongfully and unjustly charged; and also for the undeceiving of the underwriters, and of all those that are misinformed about this business. In the name, and with the consent of the whole church of Aldermanburie.The door of truth opened: or, A brief and true narrative of the occasion how Mr Henry Burton came to shut himself out of the church-doors of Aldermanbury: published in answer to a paper, called, Truth shut out of doors: for the vindication of the minister and people of Aldermanbury, who are in this paper most wrongfully and unjustly charged; and also for the undeceiving of the underwriters, and of all those that are misinformed about this businesse. In the name, and with the consent of the whole church of Aldermanburie.
London: printed for Christopher Meredith, 1645
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.
Especially, if the Reader will be pleased to consider the Texts of Scripture that are subjoined to the Title page. In which he doth secretly seem to insinuate (for to what purpose else are they there put?) That because he is not suffered to preach any longer at Aldermanbury (upon just causes hereafter to be mentioned) That therefore, Truth is fallen in the streets, and equity cannot enter. That therefore, We are a rebellious people, lying children, that will not hear the Word of the Lord, who say to the Prophets, Prophesy not right things. And like to the Scribes and Pharisees, who commanded Peter, James and John not to teach in the Name of Christ. Now whether this be not a perverting of Scripture, and an unparalleled affront to Aldermanbury, we leave it unto the unbiased Reader to determine. In the last text he justifieth himself, in the words of Paul, Act. 20.27. which puts us in mind of a Book written by him of his life and sufferings, wherein he is pleased to compare his sufferings with the sufferings of St Paul, and in many things to prefer his sufferings above Pauls sufferings. And yet we do not write this, as if we would any ways undervalue M. Burtons great sufferings, for which we bless God, and for which we shall always honour him, and we do believe that therein he did great service to the Churches of Jesus Christ. But howsoever we would desire him to remember what aCyprian saith of many Confessors (especially of one Lucianus) that had endured much for Christs cause in times of persecution, and yet afterwards in times of peace, presuming upon their former sufferings, did venture to do many things which did much tend to the great disturbance of the Church.b
Especially, if the Reader will be pleased to consider the Texts of Scripture that are subjoyned to the Title page. In which he doth secretly seem to insinuate (for to what purpose else are they there put?) That because he is not suffered to preach any longer at Aldermanbury (upon just causes hereafter to be mentioned) That therefore, Truth is fallen in the streets, and equity cannot enter. That therefore, We are a rebellious people, lying children, that will not hear the Word of the Lord, who say to the Prophets, Prophesie not right things. And like to the Scribes and Pharisees, who commanded Peter, Iames and Iohn not to teach in the Name of Christ. Now whether this be not a perverting of Scripture, and an unparallel'd affront to Aldermanbury, we leave it unto the unbiassed Reader to determine. In the last text he justifieth himself, in the words of Paul,