fist Tappan Presb. Ass 3-1-1932 TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY PRINCE, HENRY, PRINCE OF WALES, HIS HIGHNESS'S UNWORTHY SERVANT, DEDICATES ALL HIS LABOURS, AND WISHES ALL HAPPINESS. MOST GRACIOUS PRINCE: And if history and THIS work of mine, which, if my hopes and desires fail me not, time may hereafter make great, I have presumed both to dedicate in whole to your Highness, and to parcel out in severals unto subordinate hands. It is no marvel if books have this freedom, when we ourselves can and ought to be all yours, while we are our own and others under you. I dare say, these meditations, how rude soever they may fall from my pen, in regard of their subject are fit for a prince. Here your Highness shall see how the great pattern of princes, the KING OF HEAVEN, hath ever ruled the world; how his substitutes, earthly kings, have ruled it under him, and with what success either of glory or ruin. Both your peace and war shall find here holy and great examples. observation be the best counsellors of your youth, what story can be so wise and faithful as that which God hath written for men, wherein you see both what hath been done, and what should be? What observation so worthy as that which is both raised from God, and directed to him? If the propriety which your Highness justly hath in the Work and Author, may draw your princely eyes and heart the rather to these holy speculations, your servant shall be happier in this favour than in all your outward bounty; as one to whom your spiritual progress deserves to be dearer than his own life; and whose daily suit is, that God would guide your steps aright in this slippery age, and continue to rejoice all good hearts in the view of your gracious proceedings. Your Highness's humbly devoted servant, JOSEPH HALL. |