Works of Joseph Hall, Dedication 14
TO THE RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD, AND MY VERY good Lord, THOMAS, Lord Biſhop of LONDON, I. H. wiſheth all Grace and Happineſſe.
RIght Reuerend and Honourable:
I Know there is ſtore of Sermons extant: The Pulpit ſcarce affordeth more then the Preſſe. J adde to the number, and complaine not: in all good things abundance is an eaſie burden. If the ſoule may feed it ſelfe with variety, both by the eare, and by the eye, it hath no reaſon to find fault with choice. But if any weaker ſtomacke (as in our bodily Tables) ſhall feare to ſurfet at the fight of too much, it is eaſie for that man to looke off, and to confine his eyes to ſome few: Who cannot much ſooner abate to himſelfe, then multiply to another? Let not his nice fullenneſſe preiudice that delight and profit which may ariſe to others from this number. For me, J dare not be ſo enuious, as not to bleſſe God for this plenty, and ſeriouſly to reioyce that Gods people may thus liberally feaſt themſelues by both their ſenſes: neither know J for whether more: The ſound of the word ſpoken pierceth more; the letter written endureth longer: the eare is taught more ſuddenly, more ſtirringly; the eie with leiſure and continuance. According to my poore abilitie, I hauehave deſired to doe good both waies; not ſo much fearing cenſures, as caring to edifie. This little labour ſubmiſſely offers it ſelfe to your Lordſhip, as iuſtly yours: being both preached at your call, and (as it were) in your charge, and by one vnderunder the charge of your fatherly iuriſdiction, who vnfainedly deſires by all meanes to ſhew his true heart to Gods Church, together with his humble thankefulneſſe to your Lordſhip: and profeſſeth ſtill to continue
Your Lordſhips in all humble duty and obſeruance, IOS: HALL.