The Printer to the Reader.

T

He Dedication of this Work having been made by the Author to the Divine Majeity onely, how should We now presume to interest any mortal man in the patronage of it? Much less think we it meet to feck the recommendation of the Muses, for that which bimself was confident to have been infpired by a diviner breath than flows from Helicon. The world therefore shall receive it in that naked fimplicity, with which he left it, without any addition either of Support or ornament, more than is included in it felfe. We leave it free and unforeftalled to every mans judgment, and to the benefit that he shall finde by perufal. Onely for the clearing of fome paffages, we have thought it not unfit to make the common Reader privy to Some few particularities of the condition and difpofition of the Perfon.

Being nobly born, and as eminently endued with gifts of the minde, and having by induftry and happy education perfected them to that great height of excellency, whereof his [* 2] Fellow

Fellowship of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge, and his Oratourship in the University, toge ther with that knowledge which the Kings Court had taken of him, could make relation far above ordinary. Quitting both his deferts and all the opportunities that he had for world ly preferment, he betook himself to the Sanctuary and Temple of God, chufing rather to ferve at Gods Altar, than to seek the honour of State-imployments. As for those inward enforcements to this courfe (for outward there was none) which many of these enfu ing Verfes bear witneffe of, they detract not from the freedome, but add to the honour of this refolution in him. As God had enabled him, fo he accounted him meet not onely to be called, but to be compelled to this fervice: Wherein his faithfull difcharge was fach, as may make him justly a companion to the primi tive Saints, and a Patern or more for the Age he lived in.

To teftifie his independency upon all others, and to quicken his diligence in this kinde, he ufed in his ordinary speech, when he made mention of the blessed Name of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift, to add, My Master.

Next God, he loved that which God himSelf hath magnified above all things, that is,

bis Word: fo as be hath been heard to make solemn proteftation, that he would not part with one Leaf thereof for the whole world, if it were offered him in exchange.

His obedience and conformity to the Church and the Discipline thereof, was fingularly remarkable: Though be abounded in private Devotions, yet went be every Morning and Evening with his Family to the Church; and by his example, exhortations, and encouragements drew the, drew the grea ter part of his Parishioners to accompany him daily in the publick celebration of Divine Ser

vice.

As for worldly matters, his love and esteem to them was fo little, as no man can more ambitiously feek, than he did earnestly endeavour the refignation of an Ecclefiaftical Dignity, which he was poffeffour of. But God permitted not the accomplishment of this defire, having ordained him his inftrument for re-cdifying of the Church belonging hereunto, that had layen ruinated almost twenty years. The reparation whereof, having been uneffectually attempted by publick Colletions, was in the end by his own and fome few others private free-will-afferings fuccessfully effected. With the remembrance whereof, as of an especial good work, when a Friend went about to comfort him on his death-bed, he [* 3]

made

made anfwer, It is a good work, if it be fprink led with the bloud of CHRIST: Otherwife than in this respect he could finde nothing to glory or comfort himself with, neither in this nor in any other thing.

And these are but a few of many that might be faid, which we have chofen to premife as a glance to fome parts of the enfuing Book, and for an example to the Reader.

We conclude all with his own Motto, with which he used to conclude all things that might Jeem to tend any way to his own honour;

Lefs than the leaft of Gods mercies..

The