Madam,
When I resolved to comply with the desires of some worthy persons in the publication of this discourse, I was not long in suspense about the Dedication, but was speedily determined therein, by calling to remembrance a former obligation to your Honor, under which I had justly put my self; only I feared, lest, instead of discharging an obligation, I should deserve an imputation of presumption and weakness, in thinking to dissolve it by such a trifle. But, Madam, if I should take the measure of my return, from your merit and my duty, peradventure I could not have satisfied justice, without a Volume as large as that, which your Honor and many others know, I am engaged in: Besides, I considered the nature of true goodness and generosity, which looks not so much to the nature of the present, as the sincerity of him that tenders it. And, Madam, though the bulk of the discourse is but small, and my managery of it can add no greatness to it, which I confess is such as needs the pardon of a critical reader, yet I must aver, that the subject of it is truly great, religion, which has the great God, and the great Savior the Lord Jesus for its object, great promises for its encouragement, great salvation for its reward. And what Galen said of Physick is more true of religion, non datur exiguum, there is nothing small and trivial in it. And as religion is great in it self, so I dare say it is in your Honor's eyes, and therefore I am persuaded you will not despise this small apology for it: which the miscarriages of former times makes necessary, and the degeneration and malignity of the present makes seasonable. But I must remember I am writing an Epistle to a small discourse, and I must have a care of making my gate too wide, lest (as he said) the city should run out of it. Your Honor's time is too precious for me to rob you of more of it, and my occasions are so urgent that they will scarce allow me to perform civilities. I only add my own, and beg yours, and other truly religious persons' prayers, that God would bless my poor endeavours. If your Honor's name and interest engage others to read it to their good, it will abundantly answer the desires and compensate the pains of,
Madam, Your Honor's most obliged, and humble, and faithful Servant, especially in the concerns of your soul M. P.
