Sermon Preached 26 May 1608, Title page – Dedication
A SERMON PREACHED AT WESTMINSTER MAY 26. 1608. AT THE FVNERALL SOLEMNITIES of the Right Honorable Thomas Earle of Dorset, late L. High Treasurer of ENGLAND.
By GEORGE ABBOT Doctor of Diuinitie and Deane of WINCHESTER, one of his Lordships Chapleines.
Now published at the request of some honourable persons; very few things being added, which were then cut off by the shortnesse of the time.
IOH. 9. 4. The night commeth, when no man can worke.
LONDON Printed by Melchisedech Bradwood for William Aspley. 1608.
TO THE RIHGT Honorable and most vertuous Lady, the La. Cicely Countesse of DORSET.
THere are sundry reasons (right Honourable) which hauehave mooued me to giuegive my consent that this Sermon might be published: One is to testifie my dutifull & grateful respect towards that noble personage now deceased, to whom when he was liuing, I was so much bound for so many yeeres together: Another is, to giuegive satisfaction to diuers of speciall qualitie and note, who hauehave earnestly intreated me, that I will not denie this dutie to the dead, nor such a kindnesse to them aliue, but that they may reade that againe and againe, which they heard once with no discontentment: A third is, that the world may truly take notice of many excellent vertues, wherewith God had indued this honourable man: and that as well with resolued knowledge to compose and settle his soule religiously towards heauen, as with rare wisdome & prudence otherwise, to digest and dispatch, either publike businesse touching his Souereigne and the State, or his owne priuat affaires. In the opening whereof, as it should be vanitie to adde or amplifie any thing, so it should be want of Christian dutie and regard, to conceale that which is true: especially since the relation may satisfie such as doubt, and the example may prouoke others to imitate those good parts, which are not eueryevery where to be found. Now it being published, I hauehave as great reason to recommend it to your honourable patronage, since you are the Suruiuer of that worthy couple, who for so long time were ioyned together in the bands of Christian wedlocke. And whom may it more concerne, or vntounto whom can it be more comfortable than to your Ladiship, that there should be some memoriall of his well-doing, whom you so deerly loued, and so respectfully obserued, in the time of your conuersation together? Besides, the reading of it, may peraduenture be a Remembrancer vntounto you of your owne mortalitie, when you heare of his departure before you, who (as you supposed) might hauehave ouer-liued you many yeeres. And lastly, the mention of that which his Lordship hath left touching your selfe, may incite you to go forward in those vertuous and Christian courses, which hitherto you hauehave so singularly demonstrated, that (besides the experience which his Lordship had, and testified to the full) the world (which obserueth few good things, vnlesse they be eminent) taketh great notice of them: and therefore it neerly concerneth your Honor to persist therein: and to endeuour yet dayly to increase those good graces; that the end may counteruaile, yea exceed, both the progresse and beginning. I doubt not but God who hath begun his admirable worke in you, will accomplish it and make it perfect, so blessing you all the dayes of your pilgrimage heere, that you may liue to your children and childrens children an honourable paterne of pietie, religion and vertue; and depart from this earth in a full age, vntounto the true and neuer ceasing ioyes of his euerlasting Kingdome. Which he will alwayes pray for, who is and long hath beene
Your Honors very much bounden GEORGE ABBOT.