Living Water, Title page – Dedication
Living Water: OR WATERS FOR A Thirſty SOUL, Drawn out in ſeverall SERMONS upon REV. 21.6. By W. BAGSHAVVE, Preacher of the Word, and Miniſter at Gloſſoppe.
LONDON, Printed by E. Cotes for Henry Seile over againſt S. Dunſtans-Church in Fleetſtreet, 1653.
To the Right Worſhipfull Col. JOHN BRIGHT, Grace and Peace be multiplied.
Ever Honoured Sir,
IT is commonly ſtoried concerning one of the Perſian Princes, that he kindly entertained a Peaſant, who being deſtitute of a better Preſent, preſented him with a litte Water; And I queſtion not, but conclude that you will ſhew your ſelf as truly (and more ſpiritually) noble in bidding your deeply engaged ſervant welcome, who is bold to meet you with a little of this Cordiall (not common) Water. So hath the Lord (who cals things that are not as if they were) honoured me in your eyes, that you may (as too many do) ever-value the meſſenger; And I hope the Lord will ſo honour himſelf in your heart, that you ſhall never (as the moſt doe) undervalue the meſſage. Long may you live to receive a cup of this Water from, and to give more then a cup of other Water to a Prophet in the name of a Prophet! Bleſſed be the Fountain of living Waters, who hath cauſed this Dew of Heaven to lye long on the place near you; And oh that poor ſouls may for ever call the Lord bleſſed, who through four ſuch precious (though earthen) channels, cauſeth this River to empty it ſelf among you, the ſtreams whereof make glad the City of God. The Lord ſhewre down this rain of ſpirituall bleſsings upon you and yours; and continue you to be an owner (in diſowning times) of him and his! So prayeth he who deſireth ever to entertain you in his heart, who hath been ſo deceptably entertained in your houſe;
Sir, Your very obliged Servant, eſpecially in the Lords Work, W. BAGSHAVVE.