Fear of Losing the Old Light, Title page – Dedication
FEARE OF LOSING THE OLD LIGHT.
OR, A SERMON PREACHED IN EXETER.
BY THOMAS FULLER, B. D.
LONDON, Printed by T. H. for Iohn Williams, at the ſigne of the Crowne in Paule Church-yard. 1646.
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVL Mr. COOPER, Mayor of the City of EXETER, and to all the Members of that ancient Corparation.
WHat the ſin againſt the holy Ghoſt is in Divinity, the ſame Ingratitude is in Morality; an offence unpardonable. It argues a baſe Diſpoſition in thoſe who are glad to receive what others give, but loath to confeſſe what they Receive.
I muſt acknowledge my engagement unto you to bee great, Is not Exeter a little one, and my ſoul ſhall live? where I ſafely anchored in theſe tempeſtuous times: It is a high advancement in this troubleſome Age, for one with a quiet conſcience to be Preferred to Life and Liberty: It fared better with me; for whilſt her Infant Highneſſe, (on whoſe Soule and Body God crowd all bleſſings Spirituall and Temporall, till there ſhall be no roome to receive more) though unable to feed her ſelfe, fed me, and many more of her ſervants: other accommodations were beſtowed upon me by your liberality.
In expreſſion of my gratitude, I preſent this Sermon unto you, hoping it ſhall receive the ſame entertainement from your eyes, as it formerly found from your eares, and ſtill be read with as much favour, as it was once heard with attention. And then, this widowes mite of mine will be made a tallent by your courteous acceptance thereof.
May the ſbield of Divine providence, which onelyonly is of proofe againſt the fiery arrowes of his ſhooting, defend you from the noyſome peſtilence, and encompaſſe you with a wall of Help and Deliverance: yea, may God himſelfe ſtand watchman at the Gates of your City, to forbid the entrance of any thing that may be prejudiciall unto you, And give full and free admittance to whatſoever may tend to the advancement of your happineſſe here and hereafter. So reſteth
Your ſervant in all Chriſtian offices, THOMAS FULLER.