Gods Glory in Mans Happiness, Dedication 2
To the HONOUABLE his reall Friend Collonel John Dixwell.
SAlvian one of the holieſt of the ancient Writers, tels us, Liber eſt quiſpiam beneficiorum foenore non gravatus: coguntur autem omnes ipſa conſcientia ſua ad repenſationem viciſſitudinis, poſtquam eſſe coeperint debitores. Contra Avarit. lib. 4. Every man is free, that is not bound to pay intereſt for benefits received: but all are compelled even by their own conſcience to requite benefits with the like, after they once become debtours. But like for like I cannot give: What ſhall I then, what can I leſſe do, then give a cordiall and verball acknowledgement, where I cannot render a reall recompence? I am encouraged by that of Heliodorus, Gratitudo viro ſapienti pulcherrimum munus; multoſque novi, qui hoc donum, tanquam theſaurum, in animo repoſuerunt. Lib. Aethiopic. altero. Thankfulneſſe is a moſt beautifull gift to a wiſe man; and I have known many, who have laid up this preſent in mind, as a treaſure. True it is, the greateſt praiſe for favours received by men is due to God, in whoſe hands are the hearts of men. Yet though the fountain be moſt to be eyed, the rivers are not to be ſlighted. Davids care ſpurs me on to gratitude, who acknowledges Jonathans love in his kindneſſe to his posterity, 2 Sam. 9.3, 7. I ſhould be very ungratefull then, if I ſhould not acknowledge your kindneſſe not only to me and mine, but alſo to many other godly Miniſters in encouraging of us, and them in the work of the Miniſtry. Our concord in Canterbury in driving on the work of the Goſpell, though we differ about Government, and our ſtout conſent to maintain purity of Doctrine, as it may be exemplary to other places, ſo it is throughly known to you. And I muſt acknowledge in the name of my fellow Labourers, that while you were employed in the Honourable houſe of Parliament, you were the main inſtrument of ſetling and paying our means. I may ſay with Ennodius, Lib. 1. Epiſt. 7. Quamvis non in me ad florem venerit matura facundia, et preſſus onere gratiae ſolvendi …eſerar facultate; comnitto tamen cymbam …heam placido mari; quia …arum ab ingratitudine …iffert muta gratitudo. Although I have not at…ained to the height of loquence, and am over…reſſed with your kind…eſſe, ſo that I want …ower to requite; yet I …ave adventured to put …ny ſlender boat into the …alme ſea; conſidering, …hat a dumbe gratitude differs little from ingratitude. I ſet before yo… Gods Choice, and ſha… pray to God to give yo… grace to uſe diligence to make your calling and election ſure.
And ſo deſiring you t… accept kindly of th… ſmall token of love an… thankefulneſſe, I commend you to God, an… to the word of his grace which is able to buil… you up, and to give yo… an inheritance among all …hem which are ſanctifyyed, Act. 20.32. So pray…th he that is
At yours Honours ſervice in the Lord, Francis Taylor.