To the Congregation at Stepney

I shall not put myself to the charge of importuning your acceptance of this Sermon, being persuaded that you whose ears were tied so fast to the Preacher's lips when it was delivered, will not disdain to cast your eyes upon it when it is translated from the pulpit to the press. Had not an unsavory breath (that common telltale of a foul stomach) blew upon it to infection, it had lain still with its elder brethren in the dark sepulchre of oblivion. Nor yet could that have raised it again, had not your affectionate desire rolled away the stone from the mouth of the sepulchre. You (it seems) first discovered other men digging pits in the field of my reputation, to find the unknown treasure of their own, and therefore thought the publishing this Sermon the best way to fill them up again; which I readily assented to, that the world may see how easily innocence and plain dealing may be baptized into the name of faction and sedition; nay that I preached rebellion and treason, is charged upon this Sermon, merely because I spoke of sinful compliance with the ceremonies against conscience. That I mentioned not either the King or his Government, neither at that time nor any other, save only to pray for him, as by the command of God I am bound to do, I have thousands of witnesses among you.

How little my Sermons have been stuffed with state matters you can all testify; I did determine to know nothing among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified.

That I have not in this Sermon spoken anything of the nature of temptations, etc. is not only because the subject leads not directly to it, but because I have heretofore in twenty Sermons from (Revelation 3:10) handled that subject among you.

I had thought I might have continued with you long enough to have out-lived my design upon this text; but the wise God (in whose hand my times are) has given me a quietus est, not only in reference to my place, but to my conscience also.

The greatest evil I shall wish to those that succeed me, shall be, that they may be as true to the interest of your precious souls, as I did always desire, and to my power endeavour to be: God is my record, that I sought not yours but you. My care and prayer has always been that you might receive heavenly treasure out of a poor earthen vessel.

I may say that no part of God's vineyard in the whole nation has had more choice and eminent laborers (myself excepted) than this of Stepney for several years together; and in this regard I had a hard province to write after such [reconstructed: copies]; but who looks for a man's head upon a child's shoulders? Nor will God require the improvement of ten talents where he gives but one.

What good the Lord has done by me, bless him for; set my name to no more than the weaknesses and infirmities that were discovered in my performances.

I have ground to hope that through the dew of God's grace watering the seed of the word, some were converted, some convinced, some confirmed; and my heart's desire and prayer to God for all, shall be that they may be saved.

Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Matthew Mead.