A sermon preach'd at the assizes at Hertford, July 10th, 1684 by Miles Barne.

To the Right Worshipfull S^t THOMAS FIELD, High SHERIFF, and one of His MAJESTIES Deputy-Lieute∣nants, and Justices of the Peace for the County of Hertford. AND To all the rest of His MAJESTIES LOYAL Deputy-Lieutenants, and Justices of the Peace for the said County.

GENTLEMEN,

THis Sermon which was first Preach'd at the Desire of M^t High Sheriff, being now made Publick in comply∣ance with His and Your unanimous Re∣quest, Sues to You for Your acceptance, and

challengeth Your Protection: Not that the Author is conscious to Himself of speaking falsehood, but because He hath written too Bold Truths for some tender Ears. The Men of Moderation will accuse Him of Intemperate Zeal; The downright Fana∣tick of Popery. In Their abusive sense of the words, He owns both parts of the Accusation. By Intemperate Zeal, under∣standing a Constant, Hearty, and unreserv'd Affection for the KING and Govern∣ment; and by Popery, a stedfast unfeigned adhesion to the Church of England in all Her Heights, and under the greatest Dis∣couragements, which He thanks God He always hath, and ever will be Guilty of. He hath already tasted of Their civility in several Scurrilous threatning Anonymous Notes, for His Thanksgiving Sermon on the 9^th of September, which nevertheless in spight of Envy and Obloquy shall stand a lasting Record of a most Hellish Fana∣tick

Conspiracy: And when Authority shall think fit, the 9^th of September may be∣come a day of Anniversary Thanksgiving, as well as the 5^th of November; since the Deliverance of our Present Sovereign from the Rye Assassination, must be ac∣knowledged as Great and Miraculous as that of His ROYAL Grandfather was from the Gunpowder Treason. What en∣tertainment this is like to meet with from them, he knows not, neither doth he much care, being well assur'd could he either have digested the gainfull Art of Trim∣ming, or Debauch'd himself into a Fana∣tick, He might then have Commenc'd ei∣ther a Moderate man or a Gifted brother; And consequently thriv'n, as well as some of them have done; but He chose rather to en∣joy His Intemperate Zeal (knowing it hath been serviceable to the Publick) in an humble contented State; than Rise to great Preferments with a Guilty Con∣science,

or Shipwrack'd Reputation; yet He wishes this may prove as successfull as the other did; That having undecei∣ved very many, who were misled in the simplicity of their Hearts; and He hath received their Gratefull acknowledgements, the best Reward He could expect. But Gentlemen, I must not turn a Dedication into a Preface, and represent my own case, when I should be reciting Your Merits, which are so great and well known, that His MAJESTY takes Notice of You in a particular manner; and therefore 'twould be a diminution of Your worth, for me to panegyrize on Your constant unwearied en∣deavours for the Service of your KING and Country. Happy KING! in such Subjects, whom Loyalty has united into an Entire Friendship; and Conformity to the Church, made unanimous: which I could not but take notice of then, and now Publish to the World for an Example to

others. Whatever be the Fate of this Sermon, I can willingly undergo it, since 'twas the occasion of bringing Me into the knowledge of so many Loyal Gentlemen, for whom I shall always preserve an un∣feigned Esteem and Veneration, and ac∣count it an Honour to subscribe My self,

GENTLEMEN,

Your most Obedient servant, MILES BARNE.