The gallants burden A sermon preached at Pauls Cross, the twenty nine of March,…The gallants burden A sermon preached at Paules Crosse, the twentie nine of March,…

Honourable Sir, I acknowledge freely that the World is oppressed with the Press, a•d the confluence of Books hath bred a confusion of errors, of Vices; so hard is it to distinguish betwixt profitable and vain Writings; and having culled out the best, so easy is it with much good Meat to surfeit; yet is not therefore Meat unnecessary: It is no sober inference, because both Text and readers have been corrupted with false Glosses, to reject all Expositions, all Applications: both are fit, this latter most necessary; for our Understanding is better then our Conscience: there is some light in our Minds, little warmth in our Affections: So against Nature is it true in this, that the essential qualities of Fire, Light, and Heat, are divided; and to say, whether our light of Knowledge be more, or our heat of Devotion less, is beyond me: Let this (considered) plead for me, that I (do but) rub this swooning Knowledge in us, to bring it back to some life of Obedience: If any feel their thick eyes hence to receive any clearness, or their numbed Affections to gather (the least) Spirit, let them at once, give God the glory, and take to themselves the comfort. Sin hath got strength with age, and against all natural order, is more powerful, subtle, ⟨image 3⟩and fuller of active dexterity now in the dotage of it, then it was in the nonage: Both Pulpit & Press are weak enough to resist it. It therefore this small Arrow of Reproof can wound (but even) one of his Limbs, it shall a little enervate his tyranny. Whatsoever this Sermon is, it is wholly yours, and he that made it: whose Patronage, I could not be ambitious of, if I should only fix my eyes on my own deservings: but in the affiance of your good natures, mature judgements, and kind constructions of my weak endeavours, I have presumed to make you the Patron of my Labours, who was freely the Patron of my self. I know, that Gods word can countenance it self, and needs not the shelter of an human arm, not, though it had as many Edomites to deride it, as it hath Patrons to defend it: But I find not only the best Writings of the best Men, but even some of those Holy Books, inspired from Heaven, bearing in their foreheads (as from the pen-men) a dedication. I confess, it is not all for your Protection, somewhat for your use;