Three Sermons, Dedication 3
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL IOHN TONSTAL ESQVIER, GENTLEMAN VSHIER to the Queenes Maieſtie, health and happineſſe.
WOrthy Sir,
(Of whom being loued for the truth, J may and muſt profeſſe with the beloued Diſciple,2. Ioh. ver. 1. that I louelove you in the truth; and not J only, but alſo all that hauehave knowne your vnfained louelove vntounto the truth.
As you were the meanes to bring theſe Meditations vntounto the hearing of many; ſo now they are not leſſe glad, then bold, vnderunder your name to offer themſelues to the view of all. Wherein my deſire and ayme hath beene, to direct both the worldly hypocrite, and the weak Chriſtian, in the ſearch and knowledge of himſelfe. A point of no leſſe difficultie, then neceſſitie: but the ſame light of the Word, that ſheweth vsus the neceſsitie, doth alſo aide vsus againſt the difficultie; teaching both the Hypocrite to iudge of his worldly, though diſguiſed, diſpoſition, and the weake Chriſtian to deſcrie his happie, though concealed, condition. The one, by his treaſure, laid vp on earth, is led to the knowledge of his earthly heart: the other, by his heart, affecting the things that are aboue, is aſſured of his title vntounto the heauenly treaſure. The Lord open the eyes of both ſorts, that being informed of the way wherein, and end whereto they are walking, the one may bee reproued and reduced, the other comforted and encouraged; and finally of the latter ſort all, of the former ſome, at the leaſt, may be ſaued.
And now (Worthie Sir) J commend you to that GOD, who is able to keep you that you fall not; Iud. ver. 24and to that word of his grace, Act. 20.32.which as it hath taught you to chooſe the good part, Luk 10.42which ſhall not bee taken from you, ſo it is able to build you vp further, and to giuegive you an inheritance among all them that are ſanctified; and reſt,
Your Worſhips in the Lord Ieſus, to be commanded. Sam. Crooke.