Sermons preached before his MajestySermons preached before his Maiestie

To the Reader.

THE AUTHOR himself, being hindered by death, from digesting his thoughts into Tractates more accommodate for all mens use, presaged notwithstanding, a little before his death, that they would be pressed into public view by one or other, which might perhaps be less careful; who that he might prevent, he bequeathed the care of those Sermons that were ⟨image 3⟩only preached at Lincolns Inn, to those his worthy friends, by whom you see them faithfully set forth, who living in the City, were better conversant with those that took them from his mouth: All others whatsoever unto us, who (though much more unworthy and unable) were yet more frequently his Auditors in other places, and had reason fully to know his Doctrine, manner of life, purpose, &c should therefore be more guilty of ungrateful negligence, if any of those Lamps, into which he emptied the golden oil out of himself, should not by us be lighted up to serve the Temple, to which undoubtedly by him they were devoted. Moved therefore with the necessity of our ⟨image 3⟩duty, their former good example, and the successful entertainment the rest have found, we do here adventure into light these five short Sermons, preached at special times, and in Auditories of greatest worth and expectation, and accordingly composed of more exact materials, and closer put together, which in him may well be pardoned, who in all his other works did bow his more sublime and raised parts to lowest apprehensions. We have laboured what we could to discharge the trust by him reposed in us, and desire that others would be pleased to forbear the putting forth of any thing of his, without acquainting some of us therewith, by him deputed for that work; who as soon as may ⟨image 4⟩