The church-history of Britain from the birth of Jesus Christ until the year M.DC.XLVIII endeavoured by Thomas Fuller.

To the Honourable GEORGE BERKLEY Sole Son to the Right Honorable GEORGE, Baron of BERKLEY.

I have ever dissented from their opion who maintain, that the world in was created a levell Champi∣an, Mountains being only the product of NOAHS flood, where the violence of the waters aggested the earth, goared out of the hollow valleys. For, we reade how in that deluge* 1.1 the mountains were (not then as upstarts first caused, but as old standards, newly) covered.

As much do I differ from their false position, who affirme, that all being equall in the loynes of Adam, and wombe of Eve, honour was onely the effect of humane

ambition, in such, whose pride, or power, advanced them∣selves above others. Whereas it was adequate to the cre∣ation, as originally fixed, in Eldership, or Primogeniture, and afterwards, by Divine providence (the sole fountain thereof) confer'd on others: Either out of love, by no∣thing lesse than his express Commission, for their good; or hatred, by somewhat more than his bare Permission for their ruine.

The three Sons of David serve us for the threfold division of honour.

• 1. Absolon, said* 1.2 O that I were made Judge in the land.
• 2. Adoniah, exalted himself saying,* 1.3 I will be King.
• 3. Solomon said nothing; But* 1.4 David said (and God confirmed his words) Assuredly he shall reign after me.

The first sought by secret ambition to surprise his fathers subjects.

The second went a mere bold, and blunt way to work, by open usurpation, but both finally miscaried.

The Third reached not at all at Honor, but only happily held what was put into his hands.

But when outward Greatnesse (as in the last instance) is attended with inward Grace, all Christian beholders thereof, are indebted to a double tribute of respect to that person, whose Honour is martialled according to the* 1.5 Apo∣stolicall equipage. BUT GLORY, HONOUR, AND PEACE. See how it standeth like a Shield in the middle with

GLORY, and PEACE, as supporters on each side. And this is that Honor, the zealous pursute whereof I humbly recommend unto you.

Nor will you be offended at this my counsel, as If it imported a suspition of your present practise, who know well what St. paul* 1.6 saith, Edifie one another, EVEN AS YE DOE. It is no tautologie, to advise good people to do, what they do. Such precepts are prayses, such counsels commendations. And in this notion, do I tender my hum∣ble advice, to your consideration.

Remember the modesty of* 1.7 David in asking; One thing have I desired of the Lord, Viz. to be constant∣ly present at his publique service. And behold the bounty of* 1.8 God in giving three, for one. And he died in a good old age. full of dayes, riches, and ho∣nor. Such measure may you assuredly expect from him; If before, and above all things seeking for that one thing which is needfull, the rather because God hath done great things for you already, for which you have cause to rejoyce.

A great and good* 1.9 man said to his fellow-servants. Seemeth it a small thing to you to be Son in-law to a King. A greater honour was done to your first Ancestor, who was SON TO A KING, namely to Hardinge King of Denmark, whence Fitz-Harding your most ancient sir-name. But labour SIR for a higher honor then both; Even to be led by GODS SPIRIT, and then you shall be even in the language of the Apostle himself,* 1.10 FITZ-DIEU, A SON OF GOD.

Now as your Eminent bounty unto me may justly chal∣lenge the choicest of my best endeavours; So the parti∣cular

motive, inducing me to dedicate this Booke to your honor, is because it containeth the reign of Queen Elizabeth, to whom you are so nearly related. Whose* 1.11 Grandmother proved her heir, by ANNE BOLLEN her mother. In which capacity some of that Queens (or rather the Lady Eliza∣beths moveables, and Jewels (which were her Mothers) descended unto her. You may therefore challenge an interest most properly in this part of my History.

And now what remaineth but my humble and hearty prayers to the Divine Majesty for his blessing on your selfe; and on your hopefull Issue, That God would plentifully powre all his fauours of this, and a better life upon them.

Suspect me not Sir, for omitting, because not expressing your noble Consort. We finde in the fourth commandement, Thou, and thy Son, and thy Daughter, &c. Where Di∣vines render this reason, why the wife is not mentioned, be∣cause the same person with the Husband. On which account, your second self is effectually included within the daily devo∣tions of

Your bounden Orator Thomas Fuller.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Gen. 7. 20.
• * 1.2

  2. Sam. 15. 4.
• * 1.3

  1 King. 1. 5.
• * 1.4

  1 King. 1. 17.
• * 1.5

  Rom. 2. 12.
• * 1.6

  1 Thes. 5. 1••
• * 1.7

  Psal. 27. 4.
• * 1.8

  1 Cor. 29. 28
• * 1.9

  1 Sa. 18. 23
• * 1.10

  Rom. 8. 14.
• * 1.11

  The heir generall of George Car••e L. Hunsdon whose Grand∣mother Mary was second Sister to Anne Bollen.