-- Dedication
A Warning Against the Idolatry of the Last Times Dedication to the Right Honorable Lord Henry, Earl of Kent, Lord of Hastings, Weisford, and Ruthyn
Right Honorable, Great indeed has been the mercy of God toward this our English nation. Along with peace and protection, He has blessed us with the treasure of His gospel—bestowed upon us now for more than forty years under the gracious rule of our Queen. It is an inexpressible benefit; and I believe England has never before enjoyed its equal.
For this great mercy, we owe to God all the thankfulness that heart can conceive or tongue can speak. Our gratitude must show itself in the fruit of obedience to the gospel; and obedience consists in turning wholly to God from every evil way, in believing on Christ, and in walking in the newness of a godly life.
But, alas, in regard to the greater part, we are a nation most unthankful, yielding little obedience to the gospel of life. Were the same blessings that have been poured out upon England given to Barbary, or Turkey, or the Americas, they might have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes, and turned to God more earnestly than we have done. For this reason, we have deserved that God should remove His gospel from us and give it to a people who will bear its fruit. To prevent this righteous judgment, it is our urgent duty to repent of our unthankfulness, to embrace the gospel more heartily than before, and to walk worthy of it in holiness of life.