To the Honourable Henry Cromwell
SIR,
The ensuing sermon was preached upon as sad an occasion, as on any particular account has been given to this nation in this our generation. It is now published, as at the desire of very many who love the savor of that perfume which is diffused with the memory of the noble person peculiarly mentioned therein: so also upon the requests of such others, as enables me justly to entitle the doing of it, Obedience. Being come abroad, it was in my thoughts to have directed it immediately in the first place to her, who of any individual person was most nearly concerned in him. But having observed how near she has been to be swallowed up of sorrow, and what slow progress, he who took care to seal up instruction to her soul by all dispensations, has given her hitherto toward a conquest thereof: I was not willing to offer directly a new occasion to the multitude of her perplexed thoughts about this thing. No doubt, her loss being as great as it could be upon the account of one subject to the law of mortality, as many grains of grief and sorrow are to be allowed her in the balance of the Sanctuary, as God does permit to be laid out and dispensed about any of the sons of men. He who is able to make sweet the bitterest waters, and to give a gracious issue to the most grievous trial, will certainly, in due time, eminently bring forth that good upon her spirit, which he is causing all these things to work together for. In the mean time, Sir, these lines are to you: your near relation to that rare example of righteousness, faith, holiness, zeal, courage, self-denial, love to his country, wisdom and industry, mentioned in the ensuing sermon, the mutual tender affection between you while he was living; your presence with him in his last trial and conflict, the deserved regard you bear to his worth and memory; your design of looking into, and following after his steps and purpose in the work of God in his generation, as such an accomplished pattern, as few ages have produced the like; with many other reasons of the like nature, did easily induce me hereunto. That which is here printed is but the notes I first took, not having had leisure since to give them a serious perusal, and upon that account, must beg a candid interpretation to any thing that may appear not so well digested therein as might be expected. I have not any thing to express concerning yourself, but only my desire that your heart may be fixed to the Lord God of your fathers, and that in the midst of all your temptations and oppositions wherewith your pilgrimage will be attended, you may be carried on and established in your inward subjection to, and outward contending for the Kingdom of the dearly beloved of our souls; not fainting, or waxing weary until you receive your dismission to rest, for your lot in the end of the days.
SIR, Your most humble and affectionate servant JOHN OWEN. Ox. Ch. Ch. April. 2d.
