The mischiefs of self-ignorance and the benefits of self-acquaintance opened in divers sermons at…

To my dearly beloved the Inhabitants of the Borough and Parish of Kidderminster in Worcestershire.

To my dearly beloved the Inhabitants of the Burrough and Parish of Kederminster in Worcestershire.

AS I never desired any greater preferment in this world, than to have continued in the work of my Ministry among you, so I once thought my days would have been ended in that desired station: But we are unmeet to tell God how he shall dispose of us; or to foreknow what changes he intends to make. Though you are low in the world, and have not the Riches which cause mens estimation with the most, I see no probability that we should have been separated till death, could I but have obtained leave to preach for nothing.

But being forbidden to preach the Gospel in that Diocese, I must thankfully take the liberty which shall anywhere else be vouchsafed me: And while I may enjoy it, I take it not for my duty to be over querulous, though the wound that is made by ⟨image 27⟩my separation from you be very deep. And though to strangers it will seem probable that such severity had never been exercised against me, but for some heinous crime, yet to you that have known me, I shall need to say but little in my defence. The great crime which is openly charged on me, and for which I am thought unworthy to preach the Gospel, (even where there is no other to preach) is a matter that you are unacquainted with, and therefore, as you have heard me publicly accused of it, I am bound to render you such an account as is necessary to your just information and satisfaction.

But being forbidden to preach the Gospel in that Diocess, I must thankfully take the liberty which shall anywhere else be vouchsafed me: And while I may enjoy it, I take it not for my duty to be over querulous, though the wound that is made by