The Hartlib Papers

a Divine mett me, who delivered to me, from the chiefe Professour of Helmstat, and from one of the Generall Superintendents of the Duke of Luneburg; some writes and a letter, whereby I am invited, to continue in that correspondencie, which they, and I, did enter upon, before the troubles of our Church and State, did breake forth: moreover I had gotten notice, that these of Lubek, had something in readinesse, to impart unto me. These incouragements, coming just at this time, doe make me beleeve, that God will have me to reassume the thoughts of Pacification, with more zeale then hitherto I have used, since I came last out of England. Therefore I went on Munday last to Lubeck, and[altered] had Conference with two of the Burgemesters, two of the Ministerie, and one of the Senators in whom I have found more forwardnesse to advance the scope of my negotiation then I did expect; for they have promised, to send unto me from the Senate a declaration, which they caused Dr. Hunnius before his death to penne about my businesse; if this weeke had not beene a time of vacancie I might have gotten it perhaps instantly, but by reason the Senate will not meet till Saturday I came away, and have written letters, to require that [catchword: which]

which the Burgemesters[altered from Bugemesters] have promised to procure unto me: having thus farre proceeded with Lubeck, which is the leading Citie of these quarters {for it is the first of all the Hanseatic Cities} I am about to deale with the Hamburgers also, to see how farre they may be moved, through the example of their neighbour Citie to goe along with us towards a conclusion, which by the Authoritie of Superiours on all sides may be ratified; In my way going home I purpose to take Bremen, and perhaps Oldenburg also; and the Count of East Friesland his Superintendant, who is one of my[altered from may] acquaintance and a moderate Lutheran, who I hope, will be a meanes to doe much good in those parts: for when he was Chaplain to Duke George of Luneburg, I found him very well inclined, and foreward to advance Peace, and now beeing in a place, where he hath occasion to shew the effect of his good inclination, I hope he will not be wanting to his duetie and to his professed resolutions. These things I acquaint your Honour withall, that you may see what <H: overtures> Almightie God doth still give, for the furtherance of this negotiation, that if by this meanes, any moderate thoughts, towards Love and good Correspondencie with forrainers, may be wrought in our men at home, your Honour may be pleased at some[altered] fit opportunitie to make use of [catchword: this]

this information towards them, that are likely to receive it with profit, and I shall be glad to receive advice from your Honour how to make my addresses towards these of our nation, that these good thoughts of friendship and agreement, amongst the Protestant Churches, which seeme to ripen, may not be uselesse, in respect of our men, who are so earnestly bent for a Reformation; whereof as it <H: there> is verily extreame great need; so the way of introducing it, will be without all doubt most safe, if it be not too particular but grounded upon the relations, which all Protestant Churches ought to maintaine one with another, for the increase of the unitie of the Spirit in the bond of Peace, by the meanes of Charity: that we may be able to edifie one another, & advance the Gospell through the Communion of good things, which may be dilated to those, that are as yet in the darkenesse of Popish, Iewish, and Heathenish ignorance: for except the Protestants, to whom the chief light of the Truth doth shine; joyne their beames together, to shine with one consent upon those that sit as yet in the shadow of death, the Kingdome of God, is not like to receive, any advantage by our meaness: I know that God can and will at last draw light, out of all our darkenesse, and confusions, [catchword: but that]

but that is no thankes to us; our duetie is to doe what is answerable to the Rules of his revealed will; and not to looke at any events, which may proceed from his Omnipotencie: whatsoever he doth by his absolute power, that shall fall out, whether we will or no, but our glorie and profit is; to become helpers of the worke of God amongst men; and his instruments in his way, to make his Kingdome come unto all, through the communion of Saints. This I do not say as if I supposed your Honour to be averse from my aime; but it is to answer the secret objections, which others, who are somewhat to peremptorie, in a particular way use to make, with whom I could wish to deale more distinctly, then at this distance I am able to doe, for I hope, I should be able with Gods assistance, to let them see, that there is nothing so disadvantagious to the Gospell of Christ, as the neglect of the weake through an inconsiderate zeale unto some particulars wherein man doth strive to please him selfe. Christ sought not to please himself, as the Apostle saith Rom. 15. 3. and the Apostle St. Paul. 1. Cor. 9. 19. 20. &c. sheweth us, that we should strive to become all things unto all men, because this is the way to gaine them unto Christ. If some could be put in mind of these Apostolicall aimes amongst you at home, and others raised [catchword: from a carnall]

from a carnall profession, and outward forme of Religion, to a true inward vertue and power of godlinesse in their doctrine and life, we should be free from the dangers, which now compasse us about on every side.

in hope that God shall inable me to shew my self at all times effectually