The whole-armour of GodThe vvhole-armor of God

Right Honourable, Right Worshipful;

Right Honourable, Right Worshipfull;

Your Honour and Worships being (by the good guiding providence of GOD) the General, Captains, and Lieutenants of this Metropolis, this chief City & Castle of the Kingdom, wherein (by the same Providence) I am (though one of the meanest, yet) one of the Watchmen; To whom ought I rather to present these fruits of my Watchman's function, then unto your Honour and Worships? As duty in regard of your places, so gratefulness also in regard of your kindnesses, requires as much. My Father, Grandfather, and other Predecessors, have of old from time to time been beholding to this Honourable City: the kindness which they formerly received, is still continued to me. Which as I do with all humble thankfulness acknowledge, so from my heart I desire the Almighty to remember your Honour and Worships, together with the whole estate of this Honourable City, in goodness, and not to wipe out the kindness which is showed to the Ministers of his Word, and to poor distressed people. Long hath the Gospel been purely, powerfully, plentifully preached in this honourable City, and great countenance and maintenance hath by many therein been given thereunto. Good orders have within these later years been taken for the better sanctifying of the Lords Sabbath. Much relief is from time to time given to the poor. These and such like works of Piety and Charity, are the beauty, honour, strength, and wealth of this City. I deny not, but that in the outward⟨image 3⟩ politic government of this great Corporation, and the many several Companies therein, London may be accounted the glory of the earth. But the things which make it exceed in glory, are, the fair houses of Prayer and preaching the Word; the great Assemblies of Gods people frequenting the same to worship God: the spacious Hospitals and places of Charity, together with the liberal provision therein made for relief of poor children and orphans, of aged and impotent men and women, of lame and maimed soldiers, and of many other like succourless persons; the thrones of Justice and Judgement, with the like, wherein London may be compared to Zion the City of God, whereof great and excellent things are spoken. Right Honourable and Right Worshipful, go on this way, (which is the only right way) to procure the peace and prosperity of your City. Let the Ministry of Gods Word be more and more promoted: