Continue the Work of Reformation
November 2, 2024•249 words
What a stop hath been set to Superstition? How good a progress hath been made in Reformation? And may we not yet hope that God will do better unto us then at our beginnings? God’s promise is the ground of hope: and my Text sheweth that God hath promised as much.
Go on, Right Honourable, and put forth your utmost endeavours, for bringing on those better things that yet remain. Where there is Hope, their endeavours use to be most earnest: For Hope stirreth up men’s spirits to set upon great things.
Though the full accomplishment of the remaining better things should be reserved to a future age, yet it becomes us, to be as earnest in prosecuting them, according to the ability and opportunity that God doth give us, as if we our selves were sure, while we live, to have the fruition of them.
Experience sheweth that to be true, which of old was said of the provident husbandman, that he planteth trees which may be useful in an other age. But I hope that God will let you see and enjoy the fruit of your Counsels, and of our desires. This shall be the continual prayer of
Your Honours’ humble Servant and Orator, William Gouge.
—William Gouge, Epistle Dedicatory to "The Progress of Divine Providence, Set Out in a Sermon Preached in the Abbey Church of Westminster before the House of Peers, on the 24th of September, 1645: Being the Day of Their Monthly Fast (1645)