Page:The abridgment of Christian divinitie.djvu/13

 Stares: Yet notwithtanding, whereas it is conitant with the concience and callings of all Gods ervants, to advance what they can the publike benefit; I being called to be chief Pator in this place, was enjoyned by the Reverend Colledge of Divines to expound the Old Tetament, which by Gods help and their command I o undertook that beides my Lectures on the Text, I propoed to my hearers a hort form of wholom and good words, taken out of other mens lucubrations, and reduced into this brief Epitome. Now although I perceived that many did very wel like my paines and purpoe in this kind; yet I profee, the divulging of this Piece was leat in my thoughts. Therefore, in that at lat this Child, of which I have been in labour thee even years, is now born and brought out to light I earnetly intreat the friendly Reader to impute this, not to any itching humour I have of writing, but to the often ollicitations of my Friends, who have extorted it from me, I beeech God that he will be pleaed graciouly to preerve the remaining companies of Teachers & Schollers, and that for his mercies ake, whereof we have