FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE REFORMATION SELECTED AND ILLUSTRATED WITHI NOTES, BY CHRISTOPHER WORDSWORTH, M. A. DEAN AND RECTOR OF BOCKING, AND DOMESTIC CHAPLAIN TO HIS IN SIX VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON: PRINTED FOR F. C. AND J. RIVINGTON, TO THE MOST REVEREND CHARLES, BY DIVINE PROVIDENCE, LORD ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, PRIMATE OF ALL ENGLAND AND METROPOLITAN, MY LORD, IF I were disposed to consider the value of that portion of these volumes, which is the result of my own labour, I could not but feel that the laying them at your GRACE's feet would constitute a most inadequate acknowledgment of the gratitude which I owe to your GRACE for many very great favours and benefits conferred upon me. In this view, there could be only one consolatory circumstance to sustain me; the knowledge that to you the homage of all my efforts is due, be they great or little: little: and he therefore who is already engaged for all, may seem to be released from the necessity of satisfying himself of the worthiness of each particular offering. But, my LORD, there are other respects, for which I may be permitted to tender these volumes to your GRACE's favourable regard, without the hazard of being thought so ill to understand the nature and extent of my own obligations, and the dignity of your GRACE's name. The Lives of which this Collection is composed have already, the greater part of them, often obtained the praise of the wise and good, as calculated to promote, in a more than ordinary degree, the cause of pure taste, good morals, and true religion; objects of infinite importance, for the prosperity of which they who best know your GRACE's unceasing cares and labours, may be be excused if they bear testimony, that every endeavour to extend those great blessings, has a peculiar title to come forth under your GRACE's protection. The tendency which has been thus attributed to many of these Lives individually, it was my hope would not be impaired, but augmented, by combining them into one series, and by the addition of the few illustrations with which they are accompanied. If therefore I have not been deceived in this expectation, I cannot deny to myself the pleasing assurance, that the present Publication will be received by your GRACE as an effort not uncongenial to your wishes, and, in however low a degree, subordinate to your own cares; and, as having afforded therefore, a not unsuitable engagement of a portion of the intervals of that leisure, which I have obtained from your GRACE's VOL. I. a more |