The glory and interest of nations professing the Gospel preached at a private fast,…

I Need not give any other account of my Publishing this ensuing short discourse, then that which was also the ground and reason of its preaching, namely your command. Those who are not satisfied therewith, I shall not endeavour to tender further grounds of satisfaction unto, as not having any persuasion of prevailing if I should attempt it. Prejudice so far oftentimes prevails even on good soils, that satisfaction will not speedily thrive and grow in them. That which exempts me from solicitousness about the frame and temper of mens minds and spirits in the entertainment of discourses of this ⟨image 3⟩nature, is the annexing of that injunction unto our commission in delivering the word of God: it must be done whether men will hear or whether they will forbear. Without therefore any plea or Apology, for what ever may seem most to need it in this Sermon, I devolve the whole account of the rise and issue it had, or may have on the providence of God in my call, and your command. Only I shall crave leave to add that in my waiting for a little leisure to recollect what had I delivered; out of my own short notes and others (that I might not preach one Sermon and print another) there were some considerations that fell in exciting me to the obedience I had purposed. The desire I had to make more public at this time and season the Testimony given in simplicity of spirit to the interest of Christ in these nations, and therein to the true real interest of these Nations themselves, which was my naked design openly managed and pursued with all plainness of speech as the small portion of time allotted to this exercise would allow) was the chief of them. Solicitations of some particular friends, gave also warmth unto that consideration. I must further confess that I was a little moved by some mistakes that were delivered into the hands of report, to be managed to the discountenance of