1 like empty clouds flie often high, but drop no fatneffe) digested into usefull applications, and diftilled into Spirit-full and quickning cordials, to comfort and confirme the inward Man. Not onely fhewing (as others) what GOD is; but allo what wee therefore ought to be. At once, emblazoning the Divins Effence,and glorious Attribuies of God; and with all delineating the most noble difpofitions of the Divine Nature in us, which are the prints and imitations of thofe his Attributes, applying as a skilfull builder, the patterne to the peece he was to frame. So, as by this unfinisht draught, it may be gathered, what inlarged and working working apprehensions, and imprefsions of the Deitie poffeft his heart. He fpeakes of God, not as on that had onely heard of him, by the hearing of the eare, but whofe eye of faith had feen him. But needeth hee, or this Relict of his, Epiftles of commendation from us unto your Honour, who knew him fo well? Or unto others, befides this Infcription of, and Dedication to your Name? which wee account our onely choice, and beft Epistle to the Reader; You, are our Epiftle; &c. Seeing in your Honor,thofe more Heroicall Graces, and Noblest parts of Gods Fmage, which in thefe SERMONS the Authour endevoured to raise his hearers to are are found already written, and imprinted not withinke, but with the Spirit of the Living God: yea, and not onely written, but also by reason of the greatneffe of your birth, the Nobleneffe of your deportment in your countrie, known and read of all men. Such ingenuous fimplicity lodged in depth of wifedome: Holineffe oflife fo fet in honour and efteeme, and immoveably fetled with evenneffe of walking in midst of all varieties: Such humility in height, of parts: gratioufneffe of heart in greatneffe of minde. So rare, fixt, and happie a conjunction, in an houfe fo eminent, doth not fall, out, without a generall obferva tion. Το To your Name and Honour, therefore, wee prefent it (most Noble LORD) as the laft Legacie bequeathed by him to the Church, as a pledge of our fervice, and a Counterpane of your Lord/hips moft railed thoughts and refolutions. And likewife unto others, as honoured with your Lordships Name; that those who studie, either men or bookes, may reade thefe SERMONS, together with your Lordships VERTVIS,each as the coppie of the other, to invite them to the imitation of the fame. And that the VVorld, which (like that Indian Monarch) accounts fuch true Pictures of the the beauty of Holineffe as this, to bee but counterfeit, because not tawny,like to their own; and look upon fo high Principles of Godlineffe, as empty notions raised up by art and fancy to make a fhew, may fee and know in you,the true, reall,uniform fubfiftence of them; and that God hath indeede fome fuch living, walking Patternes of his owne Great Holineffe, and more transcendent Graces. Which Graces, Hee, who is the God of all Grace, increase and perfect in your Lordship here, that hereafter you may bee filled with all the fulnesse of him; So pray Your Honours ever to be commanded, THOMAS GOOD VVIN. |