A sermon preached before the covrt at Christchurch Chappel in Oxford by Robert South ...

To the Right Honourable EDVVARD Earle of CLARENDON, Lord High Chancellor of England, and Chancellor of the University of Oxon. and one of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Couucil.

My Lord,

THough to prefix so great a Name to so mean a Piece, seems like enlarging the Entrance of an house, that affords no Reception: yet, since there is nothing can warrant the Pub∣lication of it, but what can also Command it; the Work must think of no other Patronage, then the same that a∣dorns, and protects its Author. Some inde••d vouch great Names, because they think they deserve, but I, because I need such: and had I not more occasion then many others, to see and converse with, your Lordships Can∣dour and proness to pardon, there is none had greater cause to dread your Judgment; and thereby in some part I venture to commend my own. For all know, who know your Lordship, that in a Nobler respect, than either that of Government, or Patronage, you represent and Head the best of Universities: and have Travelled over too many Nations, and Authors, to encourage any one that understands himself, to appear an Author in your Hands: who seldome read any Books to inform your self, but onely to countenance and credit them. But, my Lord, what is here Published, pretends no In∣struction,

but only Homage; while it teaches many of the World, it only describes your Lordship; Who have made the ways of Labour and Vertue, of doing, and doing Good, your Business and your Recreation, your Meat and your Drink, and, I may add also, your Sleep. My Lord, the Subject here treated of, is of that Nature, that it would seem but a Chimaera, and a bold Paradox, did it not in the very Front carry an Instance to exemplifie it; & so by the Dedication con∣vince the World, that the Discourse it self was not im∣practicable. For such ever was, and is, and will be the Temper of the generality of mankind, that, while I send men for Pleasure, to Religion, I cannot but expect, that they will look upon me, as only having a mind to be pleasant with them my self: nor are men to be Worded into new Tempers, or Constitutions: and he that thinks, that any one can perswade, but He that made the World, will find that he does not well un∣derstand it.

My Lord, I have obeyed your Command, for such must I account your Desire; and thereby Design, not so much the Publication of my Sermon, as of my Obe∣dience: for, next to the Supream Pleasure described in the ensuing Discourse, I enjoy none greater, then in having any opportunity to declare my self,

Your Lordships very Humble Servant, and Obliged Chaplain, Robert South.