Sermons, preached partly before His Majesty at White-Hall and partly before Anne Dutchess of York, at the chappel at St. James / by Henry Killigrew ...

THE PUBLISHER TO THE READER.

THERE are so many Sermons, upon all sorts of Subjects, al∣ready extant; that the Author of these, had he been perfectly left to his own li∣berty, would not have increased the Number.

But there were some Reasons, which made it, in a manner, necessary for him, to add unto the Heap; though, as the common complaint goes, it be grown too big.

And none were more forcible to ex∣tort them from him, than the kindness he hath for some persons: Which eve∣ry one, that feels any touch of that

passion, knows to have a power to con∣strain us unto those things, which merely for our own satisfaction alone, we should not chuse to do.

Some near Relations, that is, were desirous to converse with him, by the help of these Discourses, when he is dead: and were perswaded withal, that others might now reap some profit by them in the reading; whom the lowness of his Voice could not reach when they came to hear them.

No man, I can bear him witness, is more sensible than he, that there are more elaborate and more universally useful Sermons and Tracts, already in the peoples hands: but Mankind ha∣ving several tastes, as well as faces, and very different relishes; it is possi∣ble these Discourses may be better fitted to some palates, and touch some hearts more smartly, than those which, in themselves, may be more excellent.

This I can say of them, That there are many seasonable Truths delivered in them: and expressed in words so apt, so pure and clean; that while they display the Object which they repre∣sent, they strengthen and cherish the sight.

In short, they both instruct and de∣light; satisfie the appetite, and excite it; present solid nourishment, and give it a grateful taste.

Nothing here, I am sure, is insipid, much less nauseous; nothing feeble and flagging, much less dead: but there is quickness and life every where, both in the sense, and in the Style: Which may please even this delicate, not to say fastidious, Age; wherein things very commendable are wont to be dis∣relished.

But whether the nice and curious be pleased or no, the Author is not con∣cerned; if the pious and vertuous reap

any profit by these Sermons, and be the better for them.

And then we grow better, when, as the Apostle speaks, we approve the things that are excellent (or things that differ) not entertaining falshood under the appearance of truth, nor evil under the shew of Good: but having a right judgment in all things, and making the same difference between good and bad in our lives, that we do in our minds; preserve our selves sin∣cere and without offence, unto the Great Day of Judgment.

Ian. 26. 1684/5

S. Patrick.