To The
Most Reverend Father in Christ,
Gilbert,
By Divine Providence Archbishop of Canterbury,
Primate of all England, &c.
May It Please Your Grace,
Having at length finished (in such a
manner as it is) this undertaking of mine upon the four Evangelists,
religion, gratitude, and duty require it from me, to commemorate and
recognise the infinite mercy of God towards me in bringing me thus
far, continuing my life, preserving to me that strength of eyesight,
vigour both of body and mind, to and in so great a degree of old age.
To all which the same divine mercy hath added this great
benefit,--that it hath indulged me your Grace's compassion, favour,
and patronage. This hath not a little sweetened all the rest, securing
to me so much leisure for books, tranquility in my studies, the
settlement of my family, and an easy condition of life. Without this,
my mind, bent towards studies, must have wanted its opportunities: I
must have been to seek for leisure, retirement, and a quiet seat. The
blossomings of these my labours (if now there be any thing in them
that is valuable) must have withered in their first putting out, if,
by the Divine favour, the dew of your Grace's favour had not watered
them.
Your Grace may have forgotten (for you
are not wont to write your good turns in marble) what great things you
did for me in my straits: what kindness and good will I then found
from you, what industry of doing me good, even to admiration. However,
they must never slip out of my remembrance and acknowledgment till I
have forgot myself, and remember no more what I am. But since your
humanity hath been such as cannot be fully spoken out, let me comprise
the whole matter in this short compendium; that my family had
perished, if God's mercy, by the means of your compassion, had not
saved it.
What shall I render to the Lord for all
his benefits? and what to your Grace for so great a one? But can such
a one as I think of making returns to God or you? Let God himself, the
Father of mercies, (since I cannot) become your reward: and by an
addition of his mercy, make me capable of rendering him myself; grant
that I might be wholly his, and he yours. I pray that he would long
preserve, protect, and direct your Grace, and at length make you
everlastingly happy. This, from the heart and without ceasing, is the
prayer of,
Most Reverend Father,
Your Grace's most humble and most devoted servant,
John Lightfoot
