To the Commons of England in Parliament Assembled

SIRS,

THAT God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways, having caused various Seasons to pass over you, and in them all manifested, That his Works are Truth, and his Ways Judgment, calls earnestly by them for that walking before him, which is required from them, who with other distinguishing mercies, are interested in the specialty of his protecting Providence. As in a view of present Enjoyments, to Sacrifice to your Net, and burn Incense to your Drag; as though by them, your Portion were Fat and Plenteous, is an exceeding provocation to the Eyes of his Glory, so to press to the residue of your Desires and Expectations, by an Arm of Flesh, the Designings and Contrivances of Carnal Reason, with outwardly appearing Mediums of their Accomplishment, is no less an Abomination to him. Though there may be a present sweetness to them that find the life of the hand, yet their latter End will be, to lie down in sorrow. That you might be prevailed on to give Glory to God by steadfastness in believing, committing all your ways to him with Patience in well-doing; to the Contempt of the most varnished Appearance of Carnal Policy, was my peculiar aim, in this ensuing Sermon.

That which added ready willingness to my Obedience unto your Commands for the Preaching and Publishing hereof, being a serious Proposal for the Advancement and Propagation of the Gospel in another Nation, is here again recommended to your Thoughts, by

Your most humble Servant, in our Common Master, J. O. March 8th 1649.

Sirs,

God, in whose hand your breath is and whose are all your ways, has brought various seasons over you, and in them all has shown that His works are truth and His ways are just. He calls earnestly through them for a walk before Him that is fitting for those who, along with other distinguishing mercies, have been granted the special protection of His providence. When prosperity is in view, to sacrifice to your own net and burn incense to your own drag — as though by them your portion were fat and plentiful — is a severe provocation to the eyes of His glory. Equally, to press toward the remaining desires and expectations of your hearts through an arm of flesh, through the designs and schemes of worldly reason and outward-appearing means of accomplishment, is no less an abomination to Him. Though there may be a present sweetness to those who find success by their own hand, yet their end will be to lie down in sorrow. My particular aim in the sermon that follows was to persuade you to give glory to God by steadfastness in believing, committing all your ways to Him with patience in well-doing — and to do this in contempt of even the most attractive appearance of worldly policy.

What added ready willingness to my obedience to your commands to preach and publish this sermon — namely, a serious proposal for the advancement and propagation of the Gospel in another nation — is here again commended to your thoughts, by

Your most humble servant, in our common Master, J. O. March 8th, 1649.