with great judgment and truth observe, that "one of the greatest faults of common prayer was its teaching them so often to pray for the king, to which petitions they had not loyalty enough to say Amen," Eik. Baoiλ. chap. 16. Whereas it is evident to all the world, that none are steadier in their allegiance than those who daily and devoutly use these forms, which are composed with the spirit of primitive loyalty, and contain so many affectionate prayers for your Majesty, that they are not only a blessed means of your safety by engaging Heaven to defend you from the designs of ill men, but make such deep and lasting characters of duty on the hearts of your subjects which duly attend them, that their loyalty is mingled inseparably with their religion, and no interest can ever wear off the impression. And since your Majesty is so eminently the defender of the faith of this church, and the maintainer of its pious and primitive worship, you can never want the protection of Heaven, nor the affections of those whose allegiance is founded upon principles of conscience, as it is in all the admirers of this our liturgy, to which if by these discourses I shall gain any true friends, I am confident I shall make so many loyal subjects to your Majesty, and so may with the same labour promote the devotion of private persons and the public peace, the safety of the government at present, and the salvation of souls hereafter. And for the better obtaining these blessed ends, may the King of kings, who did so graciously restore your Majesty to us, and hath so miraculously preserved you hitherto, continue many and many years your most desirable reign over us: which is the unfeigned request of every due observer of these and his very particularly who is Your sacred Majesty's prayers, Most humble, most faithful, and most obedient subject and servant, THO. COMBER. CONTENTS. |