Dedication - p. 1
DEDICATION
TO
THE HIGHLY HONOURABLE MR.
MY MR.
JOAN LEWE,
LODGE OF MIDDELSTUM & C.
HERITANT OF THE WINSUMER AND
SCHAPHALSTER ZIJLEN.
AND
THE HIGHLY HONOURABLE MR.
AMELIA MARIA CLANT,
LADDY OF MIDDELSTUM & C.
HIS WIFE.
My lord and lady,
That the scriptures, inspired by God to show the ignorant and guilty sinner the way to salvation, may be regarded with the utmost reverence by men (when the God of infinite goodness deems them worthy to receive such a most precious jewel)-
Dedication - p. 2
COMMISSION
that it should and must be investigated with keen attention, the most ardent desire, and tireless diligence is doubted or contradicted by no one who recognizes its divine origin and conscientious authority.
Nevertheless, a measured investigation of human writings on sciences that are honorable and useful to human society, indeed often absolutely necessary, is of good and great benefit.
History and archaeology rightly deserve priority here, for besides other excellent advantages they offer, knowledge of them is very conducive to a good understanding of many histories, ancient customs, and so on, which Sacred Scripture often mentions in passing; as well as to clarifying their unusual and therefore obscure expressions for later times and other peoples, and thus to revealing the purpose and emphasis of the words of the
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COMMISSION
living God in their full light and splendor. It was also mainly for this reason, Most Honourable Sir and Madam, that my blessed father undertook to investigate Greek antiquities to some extent, choosing in particular that part which relates to the so many centuries-famous OLYMPIC GAMES, first introduced by the Greeks and later by the Romans; from which also the famous calendar of the OLYMPIADS, which forms the lifeblood and certainty of Greek historiography, has derived its name and origin. It seemed to my father, of blessed memory, that it might serve as an honorable refreshment to his weary spirit and a restoration to his exhausted powers—which he had by no means sluggishly applied to the study of Jehovah's Word and Ways—that he should record for himself the most remarkable facts and circumstances of those earlier and later contests, and (because they might be of some use to the understanding of Greek history, language, and especially of the style and idioms of the Sacred Authors of the New Testament) occasionally submit them to the public for consideration.
However, due to my father's death and other considerable obstacles, it has been a long time before this work sees the light of day. Now that it has finally appeared, several weighty reasons demand that (with your permission) this little work be submissively dedicated to Your Most Honourable Sir and Madam. Both because the author, my father of late memory, both in his early youth and throughout his service to the HIGHLY NOBLE HOUSE OF EWSUM, and especially from Your Honorable Persons, enjoyed so many almost countless tokens of sincere love, generous favors, and benevolence, and was therefore deeply obliged to show and publicly express sincere gratitude to Your Honorable Benevolence.
Also because Your Honor has been pleased to show that illustrious affection so persistently and not
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DEDICATION
less abundantly to my dear, now blessed, brother, who prepared this paternal writing for publication. I am also deeply indebted to Your Highness (who, to my regret, has also been subjected to some care regarding this work through the death of my brother), because, despite my limited abilities, I share in Your Highness's enduring good affection, which I have experienced in many ways and on many occasions; but especially when my brother, of pious memory, departed for Den Andel at God's call, and Your Highness saw fit not only to immediately appoint me in his place, but also to do so in an equal, that is, equally generous and open-hearted manner. Therefore, I take this opportunity to publicly express my due gratitude to Your Highness. Meanwhile, I have no doubt that Your Highness will consider it the most pleasant and best gratitude.
Dedication - page 6
DEDICATION
that, dependent on the light, Spirit, and power of the Lord, I endeavor diligently and faithfully to fulfill my duty in the ministry of the Gospel of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
For this reason alone, Your Highness and Lady van Middelstum, may it not displease Your Lordships that this last, modest work of my blessed father adorns its front page with YOUR HIGHLY NOBILIZABLE NAMES, and that I, for my humble self, take the liberty of dedicating and appropriating the same to Your Highness and Lady; as I hereby do in the most submissive and respectful manner. It only remains for me, from the depths of my heart, to humbly implore and pray for Your Most Eminent Well-Born, dear ones, and your Most Eminent family: in the spiritual, JEHOVAH’S invaluable grace in Christ, His good Spirit, Light, and Truth, to guide Your Most Eminent Well-Born on the Christian path of faith, so that Your Most Eminent Well-Born will later, with all who love the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ, receive the prize of an unblemished, unfading, imperishable crown and inheritance, reserved in heaven; in the temporal, wealth, honor, a long life, and a prosperous reign for the salvation of country and church. With the most humble respect, I take the honor to call myself,
RIGHT ELOCATED
SIR
AND
RIGHT ELOCATED
MADAM,
Your Right Eloquent
humble and obliging servant,
Onderdendam,
November 1
1731.
M. ANTONIDES.