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in order to a right understanding of their -Duty, as I hoped might ferve to promote the great Ends of Christianity in general. To this purpose, I have somewhat largely and particularly difcourfed of these things which concern all forts and ranks of Chriftians, as Faith, Repentance, Charity, and Perfeverance; to which I thought fit to add in the laft place, a fhort Platform of a Chriftian Life, collected out of the Holy Scriptures, and digefted into little, that every one may fee, as it were at one view, the Nature, Excellence, and Eafness of that Univerfal Obedience which the New Covenant exacleth at all our Hands and all this I refolved and endeavoured to do in fuch a plain and clear manner, that I might be serviceable to those of the most ordinary and vulgar Capacities, because they need Instructions most of all. "I confess, Madam, that in faying this, I feem to have made an Objection against my felf, as to this Dedication; and fear that all thofe who have the Honour to know your Grace, will be startled to fee a little Book, intended for ordinary Capacities, prefented to a Perfon of fuch eminent Parts and Judgment, as well as Quality. But I hope the wander will ceare when once it is confidered,that the whole defign of this Piece being to excite and quicken Men to a ferious Practice of Religion, I could not but look upon it as your Graces due

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were there no other reafon but this, that your Grace is a great Example of Virtue and a truly Chriftian Life in all particulars; which, God be thanked, I can very fafely affirm and tell the whole World, without the leaft guilt of Flattery. But befides, Madam, my -Perfonal Obligations to both your Graces, for your great and continual Favours to me and mine, and the tenderness you are pleased to fhew us daily, do challenge from me all poffible Expreffions of Honour, and dutiful Affection; and all too little, I am fure; not any thing indeed in comparison of that Service which I should, and with all my Heart would do, were it in my Power. Among fome Difcouragements I have met with in the World, I blefs God, the great comfort of my life is, that I enjoy fo plentiful a fhare of your Graces goodness, with all Freedom and Gratitude I acknowledge my felf to be in that respect, as happy a Man as lives. The Station I am now in, I was unexpectly put into by the defire of both your Graces, and by your Zealous Applications to fome great Friends, who could have no other reason to confider me but for the fake of your Graces, whom they were ready to gratifie for your being fuch true Friends and Ornaments to our Church, and the whole Proteftant Religion. Tour thus tranfplanting me into your Graces own Neighbourhood, as it was an argument

of the most kind Intentions, that I should Spring and thrive afresh under the influence of your Favour; fo is it a mighty Advantage to my Miniftry, which is now affifted with fuch Noble Comments upon Christianity, and Examples of it, as may prove more operative than any Difcourfes of mine. Upon thefe Accounts, Madam, all the labours I can bestow, can be but fo many Expressions of Thankfulness; which I humbly intreat both your Graces to accept of, being all that I can tender, befides my earneft Supplications to Almighty God, evermore to continue and encreafe his Goodness to your Graces and your Noble Iflue; and to enrich you with all the Blefings of Heaven and Earth; which is, Madam, the daily Affectionate Prayer · of

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