The Royal Commonwealths Man, Title page – Dedication
The Royal Common-Wealths man: OR, King DAVID'S Picture, Represented in a SERMON Preached at the Solemnity of the Funeral of Sir Tho. Adams Knight and Baronet, and Alderman of London. In St Katherine Creechurch, On the 10th of March, 1667.
By Nath. Hardy, D. D. D. R. Chaplain in ordinary to His Majesty, and Vicar of St. Martins in the Fields.
David fortis in bello, patiens in adversis, in Hierusalem pacificus, in victoriâ mansuetus, in peccato dolens, in senectute providus, rerum modos, vices temporum, per singularum sonos servavit aetatum: …t mihi videatur non minus vivendi genere, quam canendi suavitate praedulcis moralem Deo sui fudisse meriti cantilenam.
Ambros. de officiis, l. 1. cap. 24.
In the SAVOY. Printed by Tho. Newcomb, for William Grantham, at the Sign of the Black Bear in Westminster-Hall. 1668.
To the Right Worshipful Sir WILLIAM ADAMS, Baronet.
AS it is not only lawful, foreign, Greg. Naz.but (in Gregory Nazianzens opinion) a most due debt, to publish the praises of Gods eminent servants (especially when dead;) so it is expedient that the publication should be extended as far, and perpetuated as long as may be.
It is the advantage which all discourses (particularly encomiastical) have by being printed, above that which they have by being only spoken; that whereas these are like pictures hung in a private Gallery, those are as statues set upon an high hill, every way conspicuous; these are as pictures drawn in fading colours, those are as Imagery wrought in lasting Arras.
VponUpon these considerations (worthy Sir) I suppose it is, that you desired this following Discourse might (by the Printers help) become legible, and though I am very conscious of its manifold defects, upon the same reason I have fulfilled your desire.
It were too great pity, if such a rare and precious Jewel as he was should have been lockt up in a Cabinet; yea, pity it is, that a more skilful Lapidary was not made choice of to have set him forth in his lustre. But the best of it is, his native lustre was such as needed not the help of Art; and so far is this Discourse from adding to his splendour, that in truth it receiveth whatever worth it hath from him.
Such as it is, I tender to you by this Dedication, and justly, since you have the greatest right to it, as being an Inventory of your Dear Fathers best goods, and choicest riches, which he hath at once carried with him and left behind him, in as much as the good works of them who die in the Lord follow them, Rev. 14. 15.to wit, for their own remuneration; and yet stay here to be paterns for others Imitation.
An Inventory I call it, and that such as I dare own to be so far true, that there is nothing said of him which doth not belong to him; and therefore let none think that I do nimis adulari, at all flatter him, though on the other hand I ingeniously acknowledg it is far short of what might have been said of him: and therefore your self with the rest of his relations may think that I did frigide laudare, coldly commend him: The Truth is, though I will not use Saint John's hyperbolical expression concerning our Saviour; John 21. 25.There are many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that the world it self could not contain the books which should be written: yet I dare say, the several Passages of his excellent life could not be contained in an hours discourse, but justly require a large Volume.
And now (Honoured Sir) though it grieve you to have lost, it is no small comfort to you that you had such a Father, so far excelling in all virtue, nor will, I hope, the reading afresh what you have heard before, discompose you, since you will finde more white of your deceased Fathers gracious life, than will checker the black of his dolorous death: nor is it only a Comfort, but an honour, a great honour to you to have had such a Father, who was greatly and highly (yet no more than deservedly) beloved and honoured, both living and Dead in City and Country. But withall, give me leave to mind you, that the having such a Father, layeth upon you a strong obligation of duty to walk in his steps and conform to his Patern, which I trust, in some measure you do, and will do more and more. May you (if it be God's will) equalize his years, and as you grow in years, grow in grace, that you may if not equalize, yet come near to his righteous Patern.
I doubt not but whilst he was on earth, he put up many devout Prayers for you, your Consort, your Posterity, and not for you only but your sisters with their Relations, whereof you all have and will experience the benefit, nor can I close with a better Prayer than that all those blessings ghostly and bodily which he implored for you, may by divine bounty, be continued and multiplied upon you: I subscribe my self,
Apr. 7. 1668. Sir, Your affectionate servant, Nath. Hardy.