Right honourable, if you consider what is one of the chief ornaments of this noble state, to which God has advanced you: it will appear, that there is none more excellent, than the spirit of grace and prayer. For what does your heart affect? Would you speak the languages? Behold, by prayer you may speak the most heavenly tongue that ever was, even the language of Canaan. Would you have the valor of knighthood? By prayer you may stand in the place where God's hand has made a breach, and do as much as all the chariots and horsemen in a kingdom. Would you enjoy God's blessings which you want? By prayer, you may (as it were) put your hand into the coffers of God's treasures, and enrich yourself. Do you desire the favor of monarchs and princes? By prayer you may come in presence, and have speech with Jehovah the King of heaven and earth. Lastly, would you know, whether now living, you be dead, that being dead you may live for ever? By prayer a man may know, whether he be dead to sin, dead to the world, live to God, live to Christ, and live eternally.
Prayer then, being so excellent a point of religion: I am emboldened to commend this small treatise to your honor: not so much for itself, as because it does set out the matter and true manner of invocation of God's holy name. And I hope for your favor in accepting of it: the rather, because I doubt not but your desire is to be answerable to your most honourable, and for religion, most worthy ancestors, in the care of maintaining and countenancing any good thing, that may any whit serve for the furthering of the gospel of Christ.
Now Jesus Christ our Lord, and God even the Father which has loved us and given us everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace, stablish your honor in every good word and work to the end.
Your H. to command William Perkins.
