Balme from Gilead to recouer conscience In a sermon preached at Pauls-Crosse, Octob. 20. 1616. By Samuel Ward, Bach. of Diuinitie, and preacher of Ipswich.

TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE S^r. FRANCIS BACON Knight, Lord Chancelor of England, &c.

WHen wee see one goe or doe amisse, though his feete or hands bee the next actors and instru∣ments of his errour: yet wee say not, Are you lame? but, Haue you no eyes? or Can you not see? What euer sweruings or stumblings any part of the holy politique maks, the blame lights not vpon the Gentry or Comminalty, the immediate delinquents, but on the prin∣cipall lights in Magistracy or Ministry,

which being as Guardiants and Tutors of the rest, should either preuent or reforme their aberrations. And herein miserable is the condition of these two opticke pee∣ces, that they are more subiect, and that to more distempers then other inferiour parts: yet heerein more, that being hurt, they are more impatient of cure; not only of searching acrimonous waters (which yet oft are needefull) but shie of the most soft and lawny touches: but most of all in this, that being once extinct, they leaue a voyd darkenesse to the whole body, expo∣sing it to the pits of destruction. As ex∣ceeding great on the other hand, is the happines, honor & vse of them, if cleere and single. For this our Nationall body, it will little boot either to applaude the one, or to bewaile the other: I rather wish ••nd looke about mee for some eye-salue, which may helpe to descry and redresse, if any thing be amisse. And behold heere (Right Honourable) a confection promi∣sing something thereto: It was prescribed first by Iethro, whom Moses calls the

eyes of Israel, Num. 10. 31. And newly compounded by an Oculist, of whom as I may not, so I need not say any thing at all. Next vnder the sacred Fountaine of light (the light of our Israel) I worthily accompt your Lordship most sufficient in law to accept, to make vse, to iudge, to pa∣tronize it. The subiect of the book is the principall obiect of your Office, to elect, direct and correct inferiour Magistracy. To which purposes, Nature, Literature and Grace haue inabled you, that if you should faile the worlds expectation, they will hardly trust any other in hast. Many in rising haue followed the stirrop, pam∣pered and letting honor not standing the ground, but once seated haue done re∣nownedly. But your Lordship had neuer any other graces them your birth and de∣sert; to which, hereditary dignity hath so gently tendred it selfe, that you haue not let fal your name of religion in getting vp. Therefore now you are in the top of honour, all that know you looke you will be exactly honourable. For my part,

bounden to your Lordship for a fauour formerly receiued, greater then your Ho∣nour knowes of, or I can expresse: I shall leaue Iethro to be your Montoir, and my self remaine euer an humble suitor to God, who hath made you a Iudge of conscience, that he would make you continue a con∣scionable Iudge, improouing your place & abilities to the best aduantage belong∣ing to it, the furtherance of your recko∣ning at the last day.

Your Honours daily Beadsman, NATH. WARD.