The anatomy of conscience, or, The summe of Pauls regeneracy wherein are handled the places of conscience, worship, and scandall, with diuerse rules of Christian practise : very profitable for the weake Christian / by Ephraim Huit ...

To diuerse Christi∣an friends in Cheshire, the Authors commen∣dation of his Booke.

MY Apology (deare friends) to such as may blame me herein, is your excessiue Importunity, who will witnesse with me, how many Repulses you haue bidden, or euer I yeel∣ded to gratifie your desires, in the publication of these my in∣digested Meditations. I of all others might haue beene spared in this scribling age, (wherein so much leuitie and ostentation

in causes of this nature is ex∣tant) who am most vnfit, both for the priuacy of my gifts, and esteeme; as also of the Retired∣nesse of disposition. To say no∣thing of my great Imployment, and encombrance aboue many, yet, sith I am ouer-treated here∣in, let others Iudge of what force your Motiues, and my Inducements were hereto.

1. Your first plea was, that bond of mutuall affection, continued with tender, and Christian Respect for the space (well nigh) of three yeares, wherein I was an vnworthy Minister of the Word amongst you.

2. Besides, you alledge this subiect of Conscience was first handl d amōgst you, which Medications after reuised, & enlarged in the place of my pre∣sent

Charge, I sent you for your furtherance of Ioy of Faith. Whence you seeme to claime an Interest in my Ende∣uours herein.

3. When I sent you the Cop∣py hereof, my Restrictions you challēge to be very harsh, which though I vsed to preuent abuse, fearing least some Coppy should be thrust into the Presse without my priuity, yet withall, they hindered you of that liber∣tie, and communitie of vse, you much desired hereof.

4. Lastly, I left you (you say) in sorrow; my departure so sud∣den and vnexpected caused you (that I say not my selfe) much griefe of heart: in lieu whereof I might seeme indebted to ende∣uour your Reconsolation: to these your Claimes, this you affirme addeth weight, that all

are yours, whether Paul, or A∣pollos, the gifts of the Mini∣stery are the Churches Riches, and Royaltie, and must be so dispensed, as may best serue her comfort.

These and the like Induce∣ments swayed my approbation, when I had not the least thought of submitting my Labours to the publicke view, or censure. The same forme I vsed in the Deliuery, I still retaine, which how euer it may seeme rude to others of better deserts, yet I am well assured, is most famili∣ar to you, & consequently, most profitable, whose pure mindes I stirre vp by putting you in Remembrance of the things you haue formerly heard. To you therefore I commend these my Labours, and your de∣sires, to whom if I should beast

something of my Industry here∣in, I should not yet seeme vaine, Let your improouement of them equalize my desire of your per∣fection, who so long doe liue as ye stand fast in the Lord. Here you haue Pauls Regene∣racy Anatomized, the prac∣tice of Religion explained, enforced, the Power of Con∣science with its contrary qua∣litie of good and euill vnfol∣ded: besides, the heads of Scan∣dall, and Worship, particular∣ly handled, with as much breui∣tie, and dexteritie, as I in my poore modell could deuise. How vsefull this Subject is, let others Iudge; it sufficieth me, I neuer knew these things fami∣liarly and fully handled, at least in so small a Volume.

Wherefore sith your vse was in a speciall manner Intended,

you may Iustly be challenged of neglect, in case these lines want either well-come, or diligent obseruance, in that the Con∣currence of these Morall Ob∣seruations, may compose a com∣pleate Christian life; in which care of yours, I shall take my selfe fully satisfied for the paines I haue taken herein, and your selues the principall gainers by me, who am deuoted to the

Knoll De∣cemb. 20.

Seruice of your faith, EPHRAIM HVIT.