Certain sermons, first preached, and after published at several times, by M. Thomas Gataker…Certaine sermons, first preached, and after published at severall times, by M. Thomas Gataker…

This weak Work was intended your worthy Father now deceased, unto whom so many bonds of alliance, of dependence, of ancient acquaintance, and of continued beneficence so straitly tied, so deeply engaged me; and whom therefore next after mine Honourable Patron, and that Worshipful Society, wherein I spent so much time, and whereof I remain yet an unworthy and unprofitable member, I could not in this kind over-slip without some just note of ingratitude. But since it hath pleased God unexpectedly (to our great loss and grief, though, no doubt, his^a far greater gain) to remove him hence, and to receive him thither where he now resteth, as without need, so beyond reach of these Offices, I know none that may better lay claim to it than your self, who are to rise up in his room, and to stand in his stead, as Firstborn in that Family, whereof he lately was Head. I shall not need to add, what inducements and encouragements I might further receive to address these my poor endeavours that way, ⟨p. 58⟩from those pregnant prints as well of piety as other good parts evidently discovering themselves in your own person, observed by others as well as my self, and the rather observed, because so rare ordinarily in others of your years, and of your rank. The consideration whereof, as^* it ministered much comfort to your worthy Father before his decease, esteeming it no small Honour unto him that God had graced him with a Son of such parts and hopes in the judgement and by the testimony of so many as well judicious observers as unpartial reporters: so it helpeth not a little to mitigate the great grief of all his and your friends not without great cause conceived for the loss (if they may be termed lost, that God findeth to their eternal weal and welfare) of one whom they so highly ever prized, and now so deservedly desire; and ministereth good ground of hope, that you will further in due time, (as he said sometime of Constantine's Sons)^b wholly put on your worthy Parents, so^c exactly resembling them in their virtuous parts, and treading so precisely in their religious steps, that both they may seem to survive in you, and you be known thereby to have come of them.