My LORD,
It was no Interest or Expectation of mine, that induced me to Dedicate this Discourse to your Grace. I am not so well conceited of my own Performances, as to think it merits to be inscribed to so Great a Name, much less that I should Oblige your Lordship, or indeed a far meaner Person by such Inscription. My principal motive was, that it would give me opportunity of Congratulating with the Sober Part of this Nation, your Advancement to the Archiepiscopal Dignity; and of acknowledging His Majesty’s Wisdom in making choice of so fit a Person to fill that Chair, endued with all Qualifications requisite for so high a Calling; so able and skilful a Pilot to govern the Church, and so prudent and faithful a Counsellor to serve Himself. But I will not enlarge in your just Praises, lest I should incur the unjust Censure or Suspicion of Flattery: Give me leave only to add, what I may without injury of Truth, and I think without violation of Modesty; that your Grace’s Election hath the concurrent Approbation and Applause of all good Men that know you, or have had a true Character of you; which may serve to strengthen your Hands in the Management and Administration of so difficult a Province, though you need no such Support, as being sufficiently involved and armed by your Vertues, and protected by the Almighty Power and Providence· Those that are Good and Wise are pleased and satisfied, when Great Men are preferred to Great Places; and think it pity that Persons of large and publick Spirits should be confined to narrow Spheres of Action, and want Field to exercise and employ those rich Talents and Abilities wherewith they are endowed, in doing all the Good they are thereby qualified and inclined to do.
My LORD,
I am sensible that the Present I make you, is neither for Bulk nor Worth suitable to your Person and Greatness; yet I hope you will favourably accept it, being the best I have to offer; and my Boldness may pretend some Excuse from ancient Acquaintance, and from my Forwardness to embrace this Opportunity of professing my Name among those that Honour you, and of publishing my self,
My LORD, Your Grace’s most devoted Servant, and humble Orator, IOHN RAY.