The Way to Peace, Title page – Dedication
The Way to Peace.
A FUNERAL SERMON On Job 22.21.
Preached upon the Deceaſe Of the Right Honourable ELIZABETH, Counteſs of Ranalagh.
By DANIEL BURGESS.
London, Printed by J. D. for Jonathan Robinſon, in St. Paul's Church-Yard, and Brab. Ailmer in Cornhill, 1695.
To the Right Honourable RICHARD Earl of Ranalagh, And to his moſt Vertuous Daughters, ELIZABETH Counteſs of Kildare, Lady FRANCEL, and Lady KATHERINE Jones.
My Lord, and Ladies,
I Have performed this ſmall Service, to the Memory of one deſerving to be had in everlaſting Remembrance!
The Part of it which concerns her Heavenly Vertues, claimeth as its undoubted Right, and is ſure to have, your moſt honourable Teſtimony. Although the whole be ſo blemiſh'd with the Author's Imperfections, that it deſerveth his Bluſh, and needeth your Pardon!
A Pardon, whereof he deſpairs not; becauſe, through your overflowing Affection unto the Deceaſed, You have pleaſed to honour me with many great Favours. And becauſe, as every one ſeeth, the Greateſt and the Beſt Perſons be not the hardeſt to pleaſe!
My Gratitude ſhall ever keep my Prayer aſcending to the Almighty, for your noble Family! Whereof, ſo renowned Relatives, as your Lordſhip's incomparable Mother, the Illuſtrious Roger Earl of Orrery, and the immortal Mr. Robert Boil, have long ago obliged me to be a true Votary!
May your Redeemer's Grace hold you ſafe upon the Precipices of your Proſperity! And make your ſecular Grandeurs to become Teſtimonies of his preſent Favour, and Pledges of your future Felicity!
May your Perſons and Off-ſpring be Bleſſings to this World! And when you are Tranſlated to the next, May you carry the Peace of God with you, and leave the Praiſe of Men behind you.
Thus prayeth Your Honours moſt Obliged, and moſt Obedient Servant, DANIEL BURGESS.