FOR HIS MOST SACRED MAJESTY.

THE sermon of peace and charity which your majesty was pleased to call for about twelve weeks since, by which means it had the favour to become one of the earliest addresses made to your majesty after the recalling of those votes, hath now taken the confidence to appear more public, that it may demonstrate and testify the reality of your majesty's inclinations to peace, (which alone could render this trifle considerable to you), and the sincere desire of your most private undisguised retirements, to make the way back to

[Both houses of parliament had resolved (Jan. 3 and 15) that they would receive no more messages from the king, and that they would send no address to him for the future, and that if any other person should do so he should be considered guilty of high treason. This vote of non-addresses was repealed August 3. The king probably sent for the sermon about the end of June, 1618, if we may judge from the expression "twelve weeks since," compared with the date of the dedication, Sept. 16. Why it was not sent earlier than August 3, it is not easy to say, but perhaps Hammond, who was at that time under confinement, had not access to his papers. The sermon itself was preached on St. Andrew's day, 1647, "the third of Advent," but was probably intended for the previous Sunday, the text being taken from the first lesson for evening service. The last of these ten sermons was prepared proba

bly for the morning service of the same day, and perhaps Hammond did not arrive at Carisbrook in time to preach them. Hammond had been removed from his attendance on the king Dec. 27 of the previous year, and upon his expulsion from his canonry in March, 1648, was with Sheldon kept in close confinement, in Oxford, though most of the other expelled members of the University had been banished from Oxford. The reason of this no doubt was to prevent their having access to the king, over whom it was feared that they might exert too much influence. Their imprisonment was afterwards assigned as a reason why their attendance could not be granted to his majesty at the treaty of Newport, Charles having requested their attendance in a letter dated August 28. It is to the refusal of the House of Commons that he alludes in the concluding sentence of the dedication.]

your throne by none but pacific means, even then when others thought it their duty by the sword to attempt it for you.

The other few sermons added to the volume have no errand but to attend this, that it may with a little more solemnity approach your sacred presence, and enjoy that liberty which is denied to

Your majesty's most obedient,

and most devoted subject and servant,

Sept. 16, 1648.

H. HAMMOND.