Right Honourable: it is a labour that hath neither recompense nor thanks, to tell them their madness, that fain would think themselves sober. Having therefore presumed (not to trouble the peace, but) to disquiet the security of our Israel: I durst not but aspire to some noble Patronage, that might shield both my self ⟨image 3⟩and labours, from the blows of all malevolent Censurers. In which thoughts, I was bold to centre my self in your Honour; as the individual point of my refuge, wherein I have been taught the way by more worthy precedents: your Honourable Name having long stood, as a communis terminus, or Sanctuary of protection, to the labours and persons of many Students. The un-erring hand of God hath placed your Lordship in the Seat of Justice, and Chair of Honour, (especially if it be true, what S. Hieron: says, that Summa apud Deū nobilitas, clarū essevirtutibus: whereby you have power & opportunity, to whet the edge of virtue with encouragements, & to give ⟨image 3⟩vice the just retribution of deserved punishments. Happy influences have been derived from you, sitting as a Star in the Star-Chamber: conscionable mitigations of the Laws rigour in the Court of Chancery. To punish when you see cause, is not more Justice then Mercy: Justice against the offender, Mercy to the Commonwealth. Those punishments are no other then actual Physic ministered to the Inheritance, Liberty, Body, to the bettering of the Conscience, 1and saving of the soul in the day of the Lord Jesus. Behold, my pen hath but written after the original Copy of your Honours actions: desiring rather to learn by your doings, how to say; then to teach you by my sayings, how to ⟨image 4⟩do. I have spoken (God knows with what success) to these mad times: and he that would bind the frantic, though he loves him, angers him. The detector of mens much-loved sins, needs a Protector, that is both good & great. I am sure my election is happy; if it shall please your Honour to cast the eye of acceptance on my weak labours. A young plant may thrive, if the Sun shall warm it with his beams. That Sun of righteousness, that hath saving health under his wings, shine for ever on your Lordship, 2who hath been so liberal a favourer to his Church, & among the rest to his unworthiest servant, and
RIght Honourable: it is a labor that hath neyther recompence nor thanks, to tell them their madnesse, that faine would thinke themselues sober. Hauing therefore presumed (not to trouble the peace, but) to disquiet the security of our Israel: I durst not but aspire to some noble Patronage, that might shield both my selfe ⟨image 3⟩and labours, from the blowes of all maleuolent Censurers. In which thoughts, I was bolde to center my selfe in your Honour; as the indiuiduall point of my refuge, wherein I haue beene taught the way by more worthy precedents: your Honourable Name hauing long stoode, as a communis terminus, or Sanctuary of protection, to the labours and persons of many Students. The vn-erring hand of God hath placed your Lordship in the Seate of Iustice, and Chaire of Honour, (especially if it be true, what S. Hieron: sayes, that Sūma apud Deū nobilitas, clarū essevirtutibus: wherby you haue power & oportunity, to whet the edge of vertue with encouragements, & to giue ⟨image 3⟩vice the iust retribution of deserued punishments. Happy influences haue beene deriued from you, sitting as a Star in the Star-Chamber: conscionable mitigations of the Lawes rigour in the Court of Chancery. To punish whē you see cause, is not more Iustice then Mercy: Iustice against the offender, Mercy to the Commonwealth. Those punishments are no other then actual Physick ministred to the Inheritance, Liberty, Body, to the bettring of the Conscience, 1and sauing of the soule in the day of the Lord Iesus. Behold, my pen hath but writtē after the originall Copy of your Honors actions: desiring rather to learne by your doings, how to say; then to teach you by my sayings, how to ⟨image 4⟩do. I haue spoken (God knowes with what successe) to these mad times: and he that would bind the franticke, though hee loues him, angers him. The detector of mens much-loued sins, needs a Protector, that is both good & great. I am sure my eleciō is happy; if it shal please your Honor to cast the eye of acceptance on my weake labors. A yong plant may thriue, if the Sunne shall warme it with his beames. That Sunne of righteousnes, that hath sauing health vnder his wings, shine for euer on your Lordship, 2who hath been so liberal a fauorer to his Church, & among the rest to his vnworthiest seruant, and
- 11. Cor. 5. 5.
- 2Mal. 4. 2.
