Sermon 12 February 1687, Title page – Dedication
A SERMON Preached before the RIGHT HONOURABLE Sir JOHN SHORTER Knight, Lord Mayor OF THE CITY of LONDON, AT GROCERS-HALL, February the 12th. 1687/8.
By Nathanael Taylor.
Publiſhed by his Lordſhips Command.
LONDON, Printed for Thomas Cockeril at the Three Legs in the Poultry. 1688.
To the Right Honourable Sir JOHN SHORTER Knight, Lord Mayor OF THE CITY of LONDON.
MY LORD,
HAD I been at liberty to have followed my own Inclinations, the enſuing Diſcourſe had been thrown by, and lain neglected in my own Study only. But having received your Commands for the Publiſhing as well as the Preaching of it, I here preſent it to your Lordſhip; being reſolved there ſhall be no defects in my Obedience, how many ſoever there may be in my Sermon. But it's not the deſign of this Dedication to make Apologies, or which is another common place uſually inſiſted on, write a Panegyric. They are generally Hypocrites that blow Trumpets before other Men, as well as they that of old did it before themſelves. If you take care that your Works ſhall praiſe you, and your own Conſcience approve and commend you; this will afford you a ſolid Satisfaction, when the good Words of Men only will no more comfort, than the Breath wherewith they utter them, will nouriſh you. And that your Lordſhip and your Honourable Brethren, may manage your Selves and all your Affairs in that Station wherein Providence hath ſet you, ſo as to ſecure this to your ſelves; prevent the Reproaches of Conſcience, and live down thoſe of malicious Men; that this great City and Religion may flouriſh under your prudent and juſt Adminiſtration, is and ſhall be the Daily Prayer of
MY LORD, Your moſt Obedient and Faithful Servant Nathanael Taylor.