Dedication to the Earl and Countess of Clare
The many civilities and favors, received from your honors, have laid no small obligations upon me; and I knew not wherein I might better testify my gratitude to you both, than by presenting you with something of this kind, as a specimen of that solemn respect and service which I owe to you. My Lord, the soul being a blossom of eternity, what should so preponderate, and bear sway with us as those things which help to raise the soul to its full [in non-Latin alphabet] of happiness, and set it off in its orient splendor! Blood may ennoble, learning may adorn, but religion puts the garland of salvation upon a man. In this consists true wisdom. [in non-Latin alphabet] My Lord, the study of this subject which I here offer to your view, will with the blessing of God much expedite and help forward the true progress of religion. For the author of this Sermon on the Mount, behold, a greater than Solomon is here; Christ himself is the preacher; as his lips did ever drop like a honeycomb, so most eminently, in these divine aphorisms. The duties here enjoined are weighty; the rewards annexed, glorious. Here we may see a Christian clothed in his white linen of purity, and scarlet robe of blessedness. Here we may see grace and glory meeting together, and kissing each other. Let no man ever think to get heaven, who does not ascend this Jacob's ladder. Would he be rich, he must be poor in spirit; would he enjoy happiness, he must embrace holiness; My Lord, I could not be so exact as I desired in discussing this subject, having much other work lying on my hands; but I know, such is your noble candor, that you will rather cover than censure what you see amiss. I will not further preface it, but craving your Lordship's patronage, and favorable acceptance of these unpolished labors of mine, I shall continue an earnest orator at the throne of grace, for the distillation of all heavenly benedictions upon you, and your nobly descended family, and remain
Your Lordship's humble servant in Christ, Thomas Watson. From my study at St. Walbrook, July 6, 1660.
The many kindnesses and favors I have received from your honors have placed me under a significant debt of gratitude, and I could think of no better way to express that gratitude than by presenting you with this work as a token of the deep respect and service I owe you both. My Lord, the soul is a blossom of eternity — what should weigh more heavily on us than those things that help raise the soul to its fullness of happiness and let it shine in its true splendor? Birth may make a person noble, and learning may adorn them, but religion places the crown of salvation on a person's head. In this lies true wisdom. My Lord, the study of the subject I offer to your view here will, by God's blessing, greatly advance and encourage the true progress of religion. Consider the author of this Sermon on the Mount — one greater than Solomon is here. Christ Himself is the preacher. His lips have always dropped sweetness like a honeycomb, and this is especially true in these divine teachings. The duties He prescribes here are weighty, and the rewards He promises are glorious. Here we see a Christian clothed in the white linen of purity and the scarlet robe of blessedness. Here we see grace and glory meeting together and embracing each other. Let no one ever think to reach heaven without climbing this Jacob's ladder. If you would be rich, you must be poor in spirit. If you would enjoy happiness, you must embrace holiness. My Lord, I could not be as thorough as I wished in treating this subject, having much other work on my hands — but I know your noble generosity will lead you to overlook rather than criticize whatever you find lacking. I will not preface it further. Requesting your Lordship's patronage and gracious acceptance of these unpolished efforts of mine, I will remain a sincere petitioner at the throne of grace for all heavenly blessings upon you, your nobly descended family, and remain
Your Lordship's humble servant in Christ, Thomas Watson. From my study at St. Walbrook, July 6, 1660.
