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HOLY OBSERVATIONS.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

EDWARD LORD DENNY,

BARON OF WALTHAM,

MY MOST BOUNTIFUL PATRON,

GRACE AND PEACE.

RIGHT HONOURABLE:

THIS advantage a Scholar hath above others, that he cannot be idle; and that he can work without instruments: for the mind, inured to contemplation, will set itself on work, when other occasions fail; and hath no more power not to study, than the eye, which is open, hath, not to see something in which business it carries about his own library; neither can complain to want books, while it enjoyeth itself.

I could not then neglect the commodity of this plentiful leisure, in my so easy attendance here; but, though besides my course and without the help of others' writings, must needs busy myself in such thoughts, as I have here given account of to your Lordship: such, as I hope shall not be unprofitable, nor unwelcome to their patron, to their readers. I send them forth from hence, under your Honourable name; to shew you, that no absence, no employment can make me forget my due respect to your Lordship: to whom, next under my gracious Master, I have deservedly bequeathed myself and my endeavours. Your goodness hath not wont to magnify itself more in giving, than in receiving such like holy presents: the knowledge whereof hath entitled you to more labours of this nature, if I have numbered aright, than any of your Peers. I misdoubt not, either your acceptation, or their use. That God, who hath above all his other favours given your Lordship, even in these careless times, a heart truly religious, give you a happy increase of all his heavenly graces by my unworthy service! To his gracious care I daily commend your Lordship, with my Honourable Lady; wishing you both, all that little joy earth can afford you, and fulness of glory above.

Non-such, July 3.

Your Lordship's

Most humbly devoted for ever,

in all duty and observance, JOSEPH HALL.

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HOLY OBSERVATIONS.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

EDWARD LORD DENNY,

BARON OF WALTHAM,

MY MOST BOUNTIFUL PATRON,

GRACE AND PEACE.

RIGHT HONOURABLE:

THIS advantage a Scholar hath above others, that he cannot be idle; and that he can work without instruments: for the mind, inured to contemplation, will set itself on work, when other occasions fail; and hath no more power not to study, than the eye, which is open, hath, not to see something in which business it carries about his own library; neither can complain to want books, while it enjoyeth itself.

I could not then neglect the commodity of this plentiful leisure, in my so easy attendance here; but, though besides my course and without the help of others' writings, must needs busy myself in such thoughts, as I have here given account of to your Lordship: such, as I hope shall not be unprofitable, nor unwelcome to their patron, to their readers. I send them forth from hence, under your Honourable name; to shew you, that no absence, no employment can make me forget my due respect to your Lordship: to whom, next under my gracious Master, I have deservedly bequeathed myself and my endeavours. Your goodness hath not wont to magnify itself more in giving, than in receiving such like holy presents: the knowledge whereof hath entitled you to more labours of this nature, if I have numbered aright, than any of your Peers. I misdoubt not, either your acceptation, or their use. That God, who hath above all his other favours given your Lordship, even in these careless times, a heart truly religious, give you a happy increase of all his heavenly graces by my unworthy service! To his gracious care I daily commend your Lordship, with my Honourable Lady; wishing you both, all that little joy earth can afford you, and fulness of glory above.

Your Lordship's

Most humbly devoted for ever,
in all duty and observance,

Non-such, July 3.

JOSEPH HALL.

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