PAGE times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Neverthe- less, he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food 217 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sin- cerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. ΤΟ MY MOST HONOURED PATRONS, TRUSTEES, APPOINTED BY THE WILL OF THE HONOURABLE ROBERT BOYLE, ESQ., THE RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD THOMAS, LORD BISHOP OF LINCOLN,* SIR HENRY ASHURST, KT. AND BARONET, SIR JOHN ROTHERAM, SERJEANT AT LAW, JOHN EVELYN, SENIOR, ESQUIRE. MOST HONOUred, GOD having disposed the heart of that incomparable person, the Honourable ROBERT BOYLE, Esquire, lately deceased, the glory of our nation and age, whose charity and goodness were as universal as his learning and fame; To settle an annual salary for some divine or preaching minister, who shall be enjoined to perform the offices following: 1. To preach eight Sermons in the year, for proving the Christian religion against notorious infidels, viz. Atheists, Deists, Pagans, Jews, and Mahometans; not descending to any controversies that are among Christians themselves: the† lectures to be on the first Monday of the respective months of January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November; in such church as the trustees shall from time to time appoint: 2. To be assisting to all companies and encouraging them in any undertaking for propagating the Christian religion: 3. To be ready to satisfy such real scruples as any may have concerning those matters; and to answer [* Dr. Thomas Tenison.-D.] [t the 1st ed. " these."-D.] such new objections or difficulties as may be started, to which good answers have not yet been made :' You have been pleased to believe me able in some measure to perform these offices, and to command this first essay to be made public. I am very sensible of the great honour, as well as the great extent and difficulty of the task; and shall endeavour, to the utmost of my poor ability, to answer the religious and generous design of that excellent person, and the good opinion you have entertained of, My most honoured Patrons, Your very obliged and humble servant, March 17, 1692.* [* Not in 1st ed.-D.] R. BENTLEY. |