Sermon at the Death of Lord Digby, Title page – Dedication
A SERMON Preached at Coles-Hill in Warwickshire, January 24. 1685. On occasion of the DEATH OF THE Right Honourable SIMON Lord DIGBY, Baron DIGBY OF Geashil in Ireland. Who deceased at COLES-HALL, Jan. 19. 1685. On Heb. 6. 12. By JOHN KETTLEWELL Minister of Coles-Hill in Warwickshire.
Imprimatur.
Hen. Maurice Rno P. & D. Wilhelmo Archiep. Cant. à Sacris. April. 17. 1686.
LONDON, Printed for Robert Kettlewell at the Hand and Scepter over against St. Dunstan's Church in Fleet-street. 1686.
TO THE Right Honourable WILLIAM Lord DIGBY, BARON DIGBY OF Geashil in Ireland.
My Lord,
WHen I Preach'd this Sermon to my own Parish, I had no Design to make it more publick. But since your Lordship desires it should come abroad, I readily submit to it. For, besides the just and great Regard I have to your Lordship's Request, I would not be wanting in any thing, that may serve, though in a very small measure, to do Honour to that most dear, and exemplary Saint, your deceased Brother. I am conscious that the Draught I have made of him is very imperfect: but such as it is, it sets out many things most worthy to be imitated, which may render it no lost Labour to the World. To do Right indeed to the Subject, I should speak in Proportion to what he deserved: but to do service among those that survive, the saying any thing almost of him is sufficient, since it must needs be worth Mens while to hear any Particulars remarqued upon, where almost all are excellent. And so long as his Character may benefit others, were he on Earth again, he, whose studied care it was to do good, and shun the praise of it, would readily pardon all the well-meant Errors and Defects of the Compiler, which make it wanting to his own Honour. And I am well assured your Lordship, who succeeds him in his Virtues, as well as in his Estate and Honour, will do so too.
In particular, my Lord, I hope your Lordship will reap Benefit by these Papers. For to your own Stock of an excellent good Nature, and Religious Principles, you have made the discreet Choice of his admirable Example to improve both, and have already transcribed it, in some choice and commendable Methods. God grant your Lordship a lasting Continuance, and daily increase of those Noble Endowments, which make you Brothers in Virtue as well as in Blood, that you may not only equal, but exceed him in all those Excellencies and Pious Qualities, which set him out for a rare Pattern, and injoy a much longer Life, wherein to display, and do good to the World with them. This, my Lord, is, and always must be the most hearty Prayer of,
Your Lordship's in most Affectionate Duty and Service, John Kettlewell. Coles-Hill Mar. 30. 1686.