That I have clothed this SERMON in the Livery of your Patronages, I might give many reasons to satisfy others. But this one, to me, is in stead of all, that you affect the Gospel: Not with the sudden flashes of some overhot dispositions, but with mature Discretion, and sound Obedience. I could not therefore suffer any thought of mine own unworthiness, to dissuade me from presenting this poor labour to your hands; who have so ⟨image 51⟩[…] ⟨image 51⟩[…] ⟨image 52⟩[…] ⟨image 52⟩[…] ⟨image 53⟩[…] ⟨image 53⟩[…] ⟨image 54⟩favourably accepted my weaker services. I owe you both a treble debt, of Love, of Service, of Thankfulness. The former, the more I pay, the more still I owe. The second, I will be ready to pay, to the uttermost of my power; though short both of your deserts, and my own desires. Of the last, I will strive to give full payment, and in that (if it be possible) to come out of your debts. Of all these, in this small Volume, I have given you the earnest. As you would therefore, do with an ill debtor, take it till more comes. It shall be the more currant, if you will set thereon the seals of your acceptance. It is the latter end of a Feast: yet it may, perhaps, afford you some Christian delicate, to content your well affected spirits. It shall let you see the last service of Sins Banquet; the harsh and unpleasant closure of vanity; the madness of this doting Age; the formal dislike and real love of many to this World, the evil works of some critical, others hypocritical dispositions, the ending, conclusion, and beginning confusion of the Devils ⟨image 54⟩Guests. The more perfectly you shall hate sin; the more constantly you shall hold your erst embraced virtues. And so in happy time work out your own salvations. God give a successful blessing to your Christian Endeavours: which shall ever be faithfully prayed for, by
THat I haue clothed this SERMON in the Liuery of your Patronages, I might giue many reasons to satisfie others. But this one, to mee, is in stead of all, that you affect the Gospell: Not with the suddaine flashes of some ouerhote dispositions, but with mature Discretion, and sound Obedience. I could not therefore suffer any thought of mine owne vnworthinesse, to disswade mee from presenting this poore labour to your hands; who haue so ⟨image 51⟩〈…〉 ⟨image 51⟩〈…〉 ⟨image 52⟩〈…〉 ⟨image 52⟩〈…〉 ⟨image 53⟩〈…〉 ⟨image 53⟩〈…〉 ⟨image 54⟩fauourably accepted my weaker seruices. I owe you both a treble debt, of Loue, of Seruice, of Thankefulnesse. The former, the more I pay, the more still I owe. The second, I will be ready to pay, to the vttermost of my power; though short both of your deserts, and my owne desires. Of the last, I will striue to giue full paiment, and in that (if it be possible) to come out of your debts. Of all these, in this small Volumne, I haue giuen you the earnest. As you would therefore, doe with an ill debtor, take it till more comes. It shall be the more currant, if you will set thereon the seales of your acceptance. It is the latter end of a Feast: yet it may, perhaps, afford you some Christian delicate, to content your well affected spirits. It shall let you see the last seruice of Sinnes Banket; the harsh and vnpleasant closure of vanitie; the madnesse of this doating Age; the formall dislike and reall loue of many to this World, the euill works of some criticall, others hypocriticall dispositions, the ending, conclusion, and beginning confusion of the Deuils ⟨image 54⟩Guests. The more perfectly you shall hate sinne; the more constantly you shall hold your erst embraced vertues. And so in happy time worke out your owne saluations. God giue a succesfull blessing to your Christian Indeuours: which shall euer bee faithfully prayed for, by
