[The character] of a good ruler as it was recommended in a sermon [preached…

Christian Reader,

I Am not Ignorant that we are fallen into a critical time, in which it is hard for a man to look or speak, without some odd reflection made upon him: I was therefore far from being ambitious of appearing on the Stage in this juncture, either in speaking on such an Occasion as produced the following Sermon; or in committing it to the World in Print; knowing how much I should be Exposed thereby▪ Though on the other side, I am not of that sullen Humour, to shun a Service, wherein I may expect to meet an Affront, when called by God to it, and an advantage is Offered me of doing good. I am none of these Flatterers that will paint a Vice with the Visor of a Virtue upon i• • Nor yet of those Male Contents ⟨image 3⟩whom nothing can please, but they seek to pick an hole in every thing that is done. I can bless God heartily for men in Authority, who seek the weal of our Israel, making it their Study and Endeavour to Advance the Interest of Religion and Righteousness among their People: and can remember that they are men, and may mistake; and endeavour to cover rather than discover their Infirmities. I do therefore crave your candid Interpretation of the following Discourse. I counted my self bound in Conscience •f I spake any thing, to Level it to the Occasion; and to that end, reckoned nothing more proper, than to represent, as in a Glass, the fair face of a Well-ordered Government, with some of the advantages accruing therefrom, together with •he inconveniences naturally consequent on the contrary; that all Ranks of Men in a Civil Capacity may be helped thereby in what they ought to pursue, and what to avoid. It is a Rule in Mathematics, Rectum est index sui et obliqui. Here may we see our Du•y and our Danger; the Psalmist saith, Psal. 119. 105