Right Honourable,
It was not in my thoughts to have published this Sermon (I looked upon it as too home-spun) but in regard it was your Lordship's request to me at the first, and I have since received an invitation from your Honourable Court to that purpose, I knew not how to deny, lest while I did shun your loving commands, I should fall under your just censure. My Lord, it was my design in this Sermon to call you off from the empty high-flown notions, and litigious disputes of these times, to look after that which is more solid, and wherein, I am sure every man is very nearly concerned, namely the working out his salvation, Opus non pulvinaris, sed pulveris; a work it is that may call forth the most spiritful vigorous actings of the soul in the prosecution of it; pingimus aeternitati. That work had need be well done which is for eternity.
My Lord, this is the true wisdom, to be wise to salvation. By this godly policy we shall go beyond all the politicians of the times; we shall escape hell, we shall be raised to the true [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] of honor; God will be our Father, Christ our Brother, the Spirit our Comforter, the Angels our Companions; when we die we shall carry a good conscience with us, and leave a good name behind us. I shall not further expatiate; I desire this Sermon may come under your Honor's Patrociny; some little addition you will find in the end of it, which I had before prepared for you, but wanted time to serve it in; the Lord ennoble you with his Spirit, and crown you with soul-prosperity, which shall be the prayer of him, who is
Your Honor's in all Gospel-service, Tho. Watson. From my Study at Steph. Walbrook, Octob. 15. 1656.
