GOSPEL-COMMUNION In the Way of GODLINESS: Sued for by The Protestant Churches in Germany, unto the Churches of Great Britain and Ireland: In a Letter written and sent hither to that effect.  ALTUM SAPERE NOLI  printer's or publisher's device 
LONDON, Printed for Richard Wodenothe in Leaden-hall-street, 1654.   

Ecclesiarum Magnae Britanniae atque Hyberniae Patronis & Antistibus Primariis, Eximiis Dei servis atque Ecclesiae Laborantis in Germania fautoribus Colendissimis: Sit Gratia & Pax à Deo Patre, & Domino nostro Jesu Christo per Spiritûs sancti Communionem, AMEN.  
DIversa Spiritûs Dei dona membris Ecclesiae diversis esse concessa, & sacra oracula testantur, & res ipsa loquitur; finem tamen eundem Communis Aedificationis mutuaeque utilitatis liquet Patri luminum, datori omnis doni perfecti, propositum esse in omnium donorum largitione. Apostolus enim dicit, Unicuique datam esse Spiritûs declarationem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: & alibi jubemur, Ut quisque accepit donum, ità alius in alium illud subministret, ut decet bonos gratiae Dei diversae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Talentum enim quod à Deo singuli accepimus, fidei nostrae commissum est, ut illius dispensatores facti, non illud defodiamus, ut nequam ille servus, in terram; sed ad Domini emolumentum impendamus, ut cum fideli●●●●jus servis, plura tam Domino quàm nobis ipsis lucri●acere talenta possimus.  
〈◊〉 spectant, Illustres, Clarissimique Viri, Reverendissimíque, atque Reverendi in Christo Patres & Fratres, ut, cum 〈◊〉 cer●● innotuerit inter Eccles●as Magnae Britanniae ●●●●i●am Theologiae Practicae, multorum p●è Doctorum Ecclesiae ●●strae Ant●stitum publicis scriptis egregiè exeultum esse, atque ad usum Popularem insigniter accomodatam, atque eam solummodò linguae vestrae Cancellis tanquam reconditum ab exteris Nationibus, thesaurum contineri, & asservari, maximámque utilitatem ad omnes Ecclesias Christianas, praesertìm autem Evangelicas redundaturam, si quae vobis in hoc genere peculiaria sunt, publicentur, ità ut ab tis quoque legi & intelligi possint, ut (inquam, cùm haec ità se habeant) Illustritatibus atque Reverentiis Vestris votum nostrum ac desiderium aperiamus, atque per sanctae Communionis in Christo vinculum, fraternaeque libertatis Parrhesiam rogemus, vos presertim quotquot inter Ecclesiarum Rectores, Protectores & Fautores, estis aedificationis Publicae verè studiosi, ne permittatis hoc Talentum tam pretiosum ulteriùs abscondi & occultari ab Exoticorum manibus & oculis, sed velitis pro prudentia vestra, pro ferventis erga fraternas Ecclesias Charitatis, ac liberalis studiierga Dei gloriam in Evangelii propagatione, pio zelo & affectu vestro rationem aliquam inire commodam, quâ Medulla Auctorum in illo genere apud vos extantium & eminentium ex omnibus collecta in volumen aliquod conjiciatur, sive locorum communium, sive Systematis Theologiae practicae, quod publici juris sit, & omnium manibus teri possit linguâ notâ & doctioribus communi. Audivimus pauca quaedam in Belgicum sermonem esse translata, quae magno usui sunt ill is Ecclesiis & Theologiae studiosis.  
Nuper etiam inter nos Germanico idiomate editus libellus ex Anglico versus de Praxi Pietatis ità afficit omnes Pietatis Cultores, ut indè religioni quae in pura modes●dque veritatis coelestis professione consistit, accessionem permagnam fiericonstet. Ideòque sperare nobis licet, si huic nostro voto accedat per vos favor requisitus, ut fa●ilè inter vestrates (quibus ad haec & similia: beneficia Ecclesiae suae praestanda pr● aliis tranquillitatem in hisee turbis, & facultates concessisse videtur divina clementia) inveniantur aliqui, qui colligendis, transferendis, digerendis, atque evulgandis Auctorum praecipuis scriptis & meditationibus practicis non gravatè suas impendant operas, suúmque talentum si id suadebitis; unde futurum confidimus, ut insigne Regnum Dei incrementum accipiat, si corpus absolutum talis doctrinae existet ex vestris scriptoribus, in quo tam in Theologia Tyrones studii sui, quàm Ecclesiarum varii Pastores Concionum suarum materiam invenire possint, aedificationi multò utiliorem quàm illa est quae hodie in scriptis Polemicis occurrit: ità a studio contentionis ad Charitatis non fictae affectus revocari poterunt multorum animi, ex quo tandem futurum sit, ut ad Deum imprimis gloria & gratiarum actio, ad Evangelii professores cum Sanctitatis & Pietatis studio Pax & Concordia, ad Ecclesias publica adificatio, ad simpliciores pia Eruditio, ad pios & afflictos, solida Spiritûs Consolatio; ad errantes & devios, salutaris Conversio; ad securos & carnales, vivida conscientiae exsuscitatio; ad Hypocritas & obstinatos, clara perversitatis suae convictio; ad omnes etiam posteros, major lux veritatis perveniat; & ad illos denique, qui suum in hoc studio Talentum col●ocabunt ad Regni Dei Promotionem, accedat illa vox quondam gloriosa & beata à Domino, qui rationem accepti Talenti conferet nobiscum: Bene est, Serve b●ne & Fidelis, in exiguo fuisti fidelis, super multa te constituam: Ingredere in Gaudium Domini tui.  
Quod gaudium omnibus iis quibus postulatum hoc nostrum patefiet, & gratum erit, cum omni corporali f●elicitate ex animo vovemus. Valete in Domino Viri Excellentes, atque omni honore nobis colendi. Dabantur Hanoviae 24 Febr. Anno 1633.  

Joannes Daniel Wildius, Verbi Divin▪ Minist. & Ecclesiae Hanovicae Inspector, M.P.  
Theodorus Leurelius, Ecclesiae Hanovicae Minist.  
Conradus Ammonius Concionator Aulicus, ibid.  
Paulus Tossanus, S. Theolog. D. & Senatûs Ecclesiastici in inferiori Palatinatu Electorali Assessor.  
Clemens Boecius, Ecclesiae Gallicae Neo-Hanovicae Pastor.  
Isaacus Boots, Pastor Ecclesiae Flandricae, quae Christo colligitur Hanoviae.  
Matthaus Rowyer, Ecclesiae Gallicae Neo-Han. Pastor  
M. Philippus Pareus Davidis Filius Illustris Gymnasii Hanoviensis Rector & Professor.   
Praeter hosce qui Hanoviae huic Epistolae subscripserunt, alii etiam eidem Herbornae, & alibi subscripserunt, in Martio & Aprili, eodem anno 1633, quorum nomina hîc addita sunt.  

Petr●●● Streithagen, Sereniss. Regis Bohemiae beatae memoriae Concionator Aulicus.  
Job. Moriaen, V. Diu. quondam apudVbi●s Minister, subscripsi Francofurti 23 April. 1633.  
Philippus Snabelius, Hoingae Solmensis Patriae Pastor.  
Johan. Conradus Hopfius V.D. Minister in Comitatu Hanovics, in Marchabel Exul Palatinus.  
Perutile hoc Propositum & commune fratrum Germanorum votum, meâ quoque subscriptione confirmare volui:  
Ego Henricus Meerbottius P. F. Pastor S●reshe●mi Ladenburgicus, in Elect. Palatinatu.  
Johan. Irlin, Theol. Doctor, Scholae Herbonensis Rector & Professor, Ecclesiae ejusdem Pastor, & Vicinarum Nassovicarum Inspector, M.P.  
Mr. Casparus Stippius, Ecclesiae Sieginensis Archidiaconus; qui suo & reliquorum fratrum in Comitatu Nass●vico Siegenensi, nomine subscripsit.  
Johannes Arcularius, Ecclesiae Beilsteinsis Pastor, qui suo & reliquorum fratrum in Comitatu Nassovico Beilstemensi & Orzensi subseripsit.  
Thomas Dorn, Pastor Altenkirchensis nomine Ecclesiarum Comitatus Sainensis, M.P.    

In English it speaks thus: To the Chief Patrons and Rulers of the Churches of Great Britain and Ireland, the eminent Servants of God, and most respected favourers of the distressed Church in Germany: Be Grace and Peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, through the Communion of the Holy Ghost, Amen.  
ALthough it is attested by the holy Oracles: and the thing itself doth speak it, that to the several members of the Church several Gifts of God's Spirit are bestowed; yet it is evident that the Father of Lights, the Giver of every perfect gift doth in the distribution of all his Gifts propose unto himself but one and the same end, which is the common edification and mutual usefulness of all unto each other .. For the Apostle saith, that The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every one to profit withal: and elsewhere we are commanded, As every one hath received the Gifts, even so to minister the same unto one another, as good Stewards of the manifold graces of God. For the talon which every one of us hath received of God, is committed to our Trust, that we being made distributers thereof, should not dig it in the ground, as that unprofitable servant did; but employ it to the advantage of our Lord: that with such servants as are faithful unto him, we may gain more Talents both to our Master's use, and to ourselves.  
These things, Illustrious and Renowned Gentlemen, most Reverend, and Reverend Fathers, and Brethren in Christ, are alleged; to the end we may acquaint you with our wishes and desires, that seeing we are certainly informed, that in the Churches of Great Britain, the doctrine of Practical Divinity by the public Writings of many godly wise Ministers of your Churches, is brought to a great perfection, and that it is excellently fitted for the use of the Common People, but yet kept up as a hidden treasure from the eyes of foreign Nations within the bounds of your own language alone, and that a very great benefit would accrue unto all Christian Churches, and chief to those that profess the purity of the Gospel, if so be those things which are peculiar unto you, were published, so as by them they might also be read and understood: seeing (we say) these things are so; our purpose is to acquaint your Honours and Worships with our wishes and desires; and by the bond of holy communion in Christ; and with that confidence of speech which our Brotherly freedom doth suggest; to entreat (you chief, who being Rulers, Protectors and Favourers of the Churches, are truly desirous to edify the Public) that you would not suffer so precious a Talon to be hid and concealed any longer from the hands and eyes of foreigners: but that you would according to the pious zeal and affection of fervent Charity, which you have towards Brother-churches: and the bountiful care which you have for the glory of God in the Propagation of the Gospel take some convenient course by which the marrow of those Authors, which in that kind are extant amongst you, and are of chief note; may be gathered out of all into one Volume, either of Common Places, or of a Body of Practical Divinity: which may be published and made use of by all in a tongue known and common to the Learned.  
We have heard that some few things have been translated into the Low Dutch Language; which are of great use unto those Churches, and their Scholars of Divinity.  
Of late also there is a little Book of the Practice of Piety, translated out of the English into our German tongue; which hath taken so much with many godly souls; that we find thereby wrought in them, a very great growth of that Religious disposition, which doth consist in a pure and modest Profession of Heavenly Truth: for which cause (we hope) that if our wishes may obtain by your means the favour which is desired, that some of your men (to whom God seemeth mercifully to have given, in the midst of these troubles both quietness, and means to confer these and such like benefits unto his Church) will easily be found, who without difficulty will at your Persuasion, bestow their pains and their Talents to collect, to translate, to digest, and to publish the chief Practical Writings and Meditations of your Authors. Whence we are confident this will come to pass, that the Kingdom of God will receive a notable enlargement, if a Complete Body of such Doctrine out of your Writers were put forth; wherein as well the young Scholars of Divinity for their studies: as many Pastors of the Churches for their Sermons, might find matter fare more useful unto edification, then that is, which now a days is met withal in Controversal Writings: So that by this means, the minds of many men may be drawn back from the endeavours of strife, unto the affections of unfeigned Charity; whence afterwards this will follow; that unto God in the first place Glory and Thanksgiving will redound; and then unto the Professors of the Gospel, with the care of Holiness and Piety, Peace and Concord; to the Churches, public edification; to the simpler sort, Pious learning; to the Godly and afflicted, sound spiritual comfort; to the erring and such as go astray, saving Conversion; to such as are secure and carnal, a lively wakening of their conscience; to the Hypocrites and stubborn sinners, a clear discovery of their Pervesnesse; and to all the Generations to come, a greater light of Truth will be advanced; and lastly, unto those that shall bestow their Talon towards this Endeavour, for the Advancement of God's Kingdom: when he shall call us to an account of the Talon, which we have received from him; that glorious and blessed voice shall then come from the Lord unto them: Well done, thou good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful in a few things, I will make thee Ruler over many things, enter into the joy of thy Lord: which joy we wish from our heart, together with all temporal happiness; to all those, to whom this our Request shall be made known; and with whom it shall find acceptance.  
Farewell in the Lord Excellent Gentlemen, whom with all respect we are bound to worship. Given at Hanaw 24 Febr. 1633. By 

John Daniel Wildius Minister of God's Word, and Inspector of the Churches of Hanaw. M.P.  
Theodorus Leurelius, Preacher of the Church of Hanaw.  
Conradus Amonius, Preacher to the Court in the same place.  
Paulus Tossanus, Doctor of Divinity, and Assessor of the Ecclesiastical Senate in the lower Electoral Palatinate.  
Clemens Boecius, Pastor of the French Church in New Hanaw.  
Isaacus Boots, Pastor of the Flanders Church, which is gathered unto Christ in Hanaw.  
Matthew Rowyer, Pastor of the French Church at New Hanaw.  
Mr. Philip Pareus son to David, Rector and Professor of the famous College of Hanaw.    
At Herborne in March and elsewhere in April, in the same year 1633, the same suit was renewed by these:  

Petrus Streithagen, Preacher to the Court of the most Illustrious King of Bohemia, of blessed memory.  
John Moriaen, formerly Preacher of God's Word amongst those of Collen. I did underwrite this at Francfortt 23 April 1633.  
Philip Snabelius of Hoing in the County of Solms, Preacher to his native Church.  
John Conradus Hopfius, Minister of the Word of God in the County of Hanaw in Merchabel, an exiled Palatine.  
I Henry Meerbottius, for the present time Pastor of Schesheim Ladenburg in the Electoral Palatinate: am willing to confirm also with my Subscription, this most profitable intention and common wish of our Brethren of Germany.  
John Irlin, Doctor of Divinity, Rector and Professor of the School of Herborn, Pastor of the Church of the same place, and Inspector of the neighbouring Churches of Nassaw. M.P.  
Mr. Casparus Stippius, Archdeacon of the Church of Siegen, who subscribed in his own name, and in the name of the rest of his Brethren, in the County of Siegen in Nassaw.  
John Arcularius Pastor of the Church of Beilstein, who subscribed in his own name, and in the name of the rest of his Brethren, in the Counties of Beilstein and Orzen in Nassaw.  
Thomas Dorn, Pastor of Altenkirck, in the name of the Churches of the County of Sainen. M. P.   
THis Letter doth speak sufficiently for itself, and the persons who did▪ writ it were in these parts none of the least considerable in these times; nor is their number small, if you take notice of the Churches in whose names the Subscriptions are made; and although the time since this Letter was sent, may seem somewhat long, yet because that which hitherto could be done to obtain their desire hath not been neglected, though by several invincible impediments obstructed, because the expectation of obtaining it is not vanished, but at this time raised, and because such a Suit as this can never be out of date till it be fulfilled, nay, although the first Petitioners should all be dead, it ought not the less conscionably to be regarded by those to whom it is made; because it doth not at all concern any temporal, or so much the particular conveniency of those that make it, as the spiritual edification, and general benefit of all the Churches of God, and of the ages to come in the Gospel: I say because of all these considerations; and more that might be added; therefore I am willing to second their request, as many ways I am bound to do: and to that effect that the accomplishment of their desire may be obtained with more readiness and facility, I have added hereunto a Summary Platform of the heads of such a Body of Divinity as they sue for, which may give the Undertakers some occasion to think further upon the matter, which (I hope) God will bless in their hand; whereunto the endeavours and prayers shall not be wanting, of their  
Humble Servant in Christ, John Dury.