Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, Title page – Dedication
Pray for the Peace of JERUSALEM.
A Viſitation Sermon, PREACHED AT Gainsbrough, May 7th. 1691.
By NATHANAEL TAYLOR, M. A. and Maſter of the Grammar-School at Brigg in Lincolnſhire.
Pſalm 133.1. Behold how good, and how pleaſant it is for Brethren to dwell together in Ʋnity.
LONDON, Printed for Abel Roper at the Mitre in Fleetſtreet. 1691.
TO THE Reverend Mr. JOHN HƲTTON, ARCHDEACON of STOVV, And my Brethren of the Clergy in that Archdeaconry in the County of LINCOLN, All Preſent and Future Happineſs.
WHen I was obliged to appear to preach a Viſitation Sermon amongſt you, I made it my buſineſs not to court Applauſe, nor uſe a popular Text; but to inſiſt on what might really be ſuitable to our Times, and ſerviceable to our Church and Holy Calling.
And conſidering the Foreign War our Nation is engaged in, the inteſtine Schiſm our Church and Religion ſuffers by, I could not ſuppoſe a more fit Subject might be found, than what I choſe, to oblige the Prayers and Endeavours of all our Church's. Members for its Peace; which I am ſure none can be against, but ſuch Incendiaries as delight in publick Miſeries.
When I appeared, I muſt gratefully own, the Serenity of your Complexions ſhewed what you are happy in, and my Endeavours wanted, an inward Goodneſs and Candour.
But tho' my Sermon was then received ſo kindly by many of you, yet have I and it met with ſuch Cenſures and Reflections ſince, that I am forced to let it ſpeak for it ſelf. And as I never yet was concerned in the leaſt Proſecution of any Diſſenter, (tho living always in the midſt of them, I endeavoured by Reaſons to reconcile them to our Church:) So I hope theſe Pages will demonſtrate me to have had no other Deſign, than the uniting us at home, that our Church and Nation may be happy, whoſe Felicity next to Gods Glory, I ſhall ever make the great End of my Study, who am,
Brigg-School, May 23. 1691. Your Humble Servant, Nathanael Taylor.