HOLY OBSERVATIONS. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EDWARD LORD DENNY, BARON OF WALTHAM, MY MOST BOUNTIFUL PATRON, GRACE AND PEACE. RIGHT HONOURABLE: THIS advantage a Scholar hath above others, that he cannot be idle; and that he can work without instruments: for the mind, inured to contemplation, will set itself on work, when other occasions fail; and hath no more power not to study, than the eye, which is open, hath, not to see something in which business it carries about his own library; neither can complain to want books, while it enjoyeth itself. I could not then neglect the commodity of this plentiful leisure, in my so easy attendance here; but, though besides my course and without the help of others' writings, must needs busy myself in such thoughts, as I have here given account of to your Lordship: such, as I hope shall not be unprofitable, nor unwelcome to their patron, to their readers. I send them forth from hence, under your Honourable name; to shew you, that no absence, no employment can make me forget my due respect to your Lordship: to whom, next under my gracious Master, I have deservedly bequeathed myself and my endeavours. Your goodness hath not wont to magnify itself more in giving, than in receiving such like holy presents: the knowledge whereof hath entitled you to more labours of this nature, if I have numbered aright, than any of your Peers. I misdoubt not, either your acceptation, or their use. That God, who hath above all his other favours given your Lordship, even in these careless times, a heart truly religious, give you a happy increase of all his heavenly graces by my unworthy service! To his gracious care I daily commend your Lordship, with my Honourable Lady; wishing you both, all that little joy earth can afford you, and fulness of glory above. Non-such, July 3. Your Lordship's Most humbly devoted for ever, in all duty and observance, JOSEPH HALL. HOLY OBSERVATIONS. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EDWARD LORD DENNY, BARON OF WALTHAM, MY MOST BOUNTIFUL PATRON, GRACE AND PEACE. RIGHT HONOURABLE: THIS advantage a Scholar hath above others, that he cannot be idle; and that he can work without instruments: for the mind, inured to contemplation, will set itself on work, when other occasions fail; and hath no more power not to study, than the eye, which is open, hath, not to see something in which business it carries about his own library; neither can complain to want books, while it enjoyeth itself. I could not then neglect the commodity of this plentiful leisure, in my so easy attendance here; but, though besides my course and without the help of others' writings, must needs busy myself in such thoughts, as I have here given account of to your Lordship: such, as I hope shall not be unprofitable, nor unwelcome to their patron, to their readers. I send them forth from hence, under your Honourable name; to shew you, that no absence, no employment can make me forget my due respect to your Lordship: to whom, next under my gracious Master, I have deservedly bequeathed myself and my endeavours. Your goodness hath not wont to magnify itself more in giving, than in receiving such like holy presents: the knowledge whereof hath entitled you to more labours of this nature, if I have numbered aright, than any of your Peers. I misdoubt not, either your acceptation, or their use. That God, who hath above all his other favours given your Lordship, even in these careless times, a heart truly religious, give you a happy increase of all his heavenly graces by my unworthy service! To his gracious care I daily commend your Lordship, with my Honourable Lady; wishing you both, all that little joy earth can afford you, and fulness of glory above. Your Lordship's Most humbly devoted for ever, Non-such, July 3. JOSEPH HALL. |