Page images
PDF
EPUB

felf to your Lordship, and humbly defiring your Acceptancee of the following Dif courses; as a true, tho' a fmall Token of that great Efteem and Affection I ought always to bear you.

Your Lordship's Kindnefs to me upon your first Knowledge of me, the frequent fignal Repetitions ofit presently after, and the continuance of it hitherto, have for ever endear'd year Lordhip to me, and shall never be forgotten by me. At the fame Time, I cannot but look upon, and value this Leave, to mention your Lordship's Favours as a great Enhancement of them all.

And should I enlarge upon your Lordfhip's hearty Love for your Country, your Zeal for the Proteftant Interest, your Affection for the glorious Defender of it, and his Royal Progeny, together with the reft of those Accomplishments which attend, illuftrate, and adorn every Relation of Life you fuftain, 'twould be no more than what is justly due to your Lordship.

But fince Those who beft deferve Praise, are leaft defirous of it, and most apt to be difgufted with it, therefore for fear of offending where I am particularly ambitious of pleasing, I muft deny myfelf the Satisfaction of taking any farther

Notice,

Notice, in this Place, of thofe amiable Virtues and Qualities, which gain your Lordship a great Efteem and Refpect among all good Men in general, as well as more especially oblige me to be with all fuitable Deference and Gratitude,

My Lord,

Your Lordship's

most dutiful and

obedient Servant,

STEPHEN CLARKE,

THE

PREFACE.

Mr Intention here is not to apologize for publishing the following Pages, (which I think needless) but to bespeak of the Reader, a calm and impartial Perufal of 'em.

[ocr errors]

When a Man has deliver'd any thing to the Public (after all he can fay for himSelf) he must expect to meet with different Opinions concerning it: And as he ought not to be elated upon the Approbation of the Candid, fo he would not be a little blame-worthy to be dejected at the unkind Reflections of the Cenforious.

Twould be to little Purpofe to urge any thing in Behalf of the following Dif courfes, if they fhould not be allowed a calm and impartial Perufal: This if they obtain,

« PreviousContinue »