Sermon Preached 29 May 1661, Title page – Dedication
A SERMON Preached on the 29th of May 1661.
THE DAY OF His MAIESTIE'S BIRTH, AND HAPPY RESTAVRATION, After along Exile, to His CROWN and KINGDOME.
Before His EXCELLENCY VVILLIAM Ld MARQVIS of NEWCASTLE. at his House of WELBECK.
By CLEMENT ELLIS M. A. Houshold Chaplain to his EXCELLENCY.
OXFORD, Printed by Henery Hall Printer to the University, for Edward and Iohn Forrest, 1661.
TO HIS EXCELLENCY VVILLIAM Ld MARQVIS OF NEW-CASTLE, PRIVY COUNCELLOUR TO HIS MAIESTY, &c.
My most Noble Lord and Patron. May it please your EXCELLENCY,
THe Duty which I owe, first unto GOD, as his Minister, then to my SOVERAIGN, as his Subject, and in the next place to Your EXCELLENCY, as Your Domestick Chaplain, made the threefold cord whereby I found my self indispensibly obliged, to contribute that little I was able, towards the Solemnity of that memorable and happyest Day, which this poor Kingdome hath in many yeares beheld. And having, after my weak manner, preach'd this plain and short Sermon, which had then Your Excellency's approbation, and (I hope) since GOD's pardon for my failings therein; I had very well satisfied my self; as I shall alwayes have great reason to doe, when by serving GOD, I can please Your EXCELLENCY. I confesse, I then understood no obligation that lay upon me to doe, what now I am commanded to doe, to preach it over again this Second time to the VVorld; beeing (I blesse GOD for it) yet uninfected with that ambitious itch of making my self known abroad, and loving to be gazed upon, as some-body by the Multitude. 'Tis very fitt that they, and onelyonly they, should wear great names, who have great meritts to support them; and that they alone should be permitted to praesent their labours to the publike eye, whose great abilities, by being so made manifest, may become more instrumentall to the publike Good: But (My LORD) Your HONOUR seem'd very well to understand the' extent of that Talent wherewith GOD hath intrusted mee, when You presented mee to the charge of my little Flock in the Country; but too much to value it, when You committed to mee that other of Your Family: being thus entertain'd and employ'd, I need not seek abroad for more worke or more honour: and therefore (My LORD) that I now expose this rude piece, & my selfe with it, to the forward censures of all that see it, it is a piece of meer Obedience to Your EXCELLENCYS expresse, and indeed, importunate Commands: I alwayes resolving, soe farre as they are Iust (and I know they will ever be most exactly so) rather to suffer by them, then to disobey them.
I have often heard Your EXCELLENCY, and My Lord, (would it signifie any thing to say what pleased mee) I would say, with much pleasure I have hearken'd to You, discoursing of that satisfaction You reap'd, from that sweet privacy and retirement his MAIESTY is pleased to grant Your LORD-SHIP here in the Country, where You live free from the Noise and Cumbrance of Court and Citty. Indeed, the greatest reward his MAIESTY can possibly recompense Your matchlesse services withall, is thus to bestow YOUR-SELF upon YOUR-SELF; and I know You think it greater happinesse to enjoy My LORD MARQVIS of NEW CASTLE at WELBECK, then all the Offices and Honours which your exemplary Loyalty has meritted: And there's all the reason in the VVorld for it, that Hee who hath so Nobly sacrificed the Fairest of his Yeares, and the Amplest of his Revenues, to the service of his King and Country, should now have leave to Consecrate the remainder to his Health and Quiet. My LORD, could I ever hope to merit of Your EXCELLENCY, I would not yet leave begging a Favour of the same kind; that, as I have an Honourable place in Your Family, so I might live retiredly from all the world besides. But seeing. (My LORD) Your commands lye so heavy upon me, I will endeavour to bear them with the best strength I have, and still incourage my selfe with this confidence, that it is all one with Your EXCELLENCY to Command and Patronize: And therefore after others have served in their solemne joyes, with all becoming State and Magnificence, I hope I may (atleast) obtaine a pardon, If I make bold to drop in, in the Rear, and offer too my poor dish of cold water in the name of a Disciple. Many, 'tis true, goe before mee, and it is very fit they should; Others come with richer cloathing, and finer language, and why not? They that weare soft rayment, and they that speak soft words too, are in Kings houses. It is the great freedome Your EXCELLENCY is pleas'd to indulge me, to speak mine owne sense in mine own words, fully and freely; and I am so much the servant of my greatest Master, that I greedily embrace all the Liberty can be granted mee in this kind. If there be any thing in this short Discourse, disrelishing to the palates of those that read it; it will be enough for mee to tel them, it is a Sermon, and therefore not purposely suited to any man's humour: and yet, I will adde; it hath passed Your EXCELLENCY'S approbation, and that will be enough to answer whatever may be objected against it. Let men say what they will, I have abundantly satisfied my selfe, by praying that all, even they that dispise it (if it be possible) may be better'd by it; and in taking this opportunity of expressing my selfe, by this, as by all honest meanes, I shall alwayes labour to doe, My LORD,
Your EXCELLENCY'S most obedient Servant, and Chaplain CLEM. ELLIS.