To

The Truly Honourable and Most Virtuous Lady,

THE LADY MONCK.

MADAM,—

I HAD the happiness, some sixteen years since, to be minister of that parish wherein your Ladyship had your nativity, and this I humbly conceive doth afford me some title to dedicate my weak endeavours to your Honour.

It is notoriously known in our English Chronicles, that there was an ill May-day, Anno Dom. 1517, in the ninth year of King Henry the Eighth, wherein much mischief was done in London, the lives of many lost, and estates of more confounded.

This last good May-day hath made plentiful amends for that evil one, and hath laid a foundation for the happiness of an almost ruined church and state; which as under God it was effected by the prudence and valour of your noble and most renowned husband, so you are eminently known to have had a finger, yea, a hand, yea, an arm happily instrumental therein. God reward you with honour here, and glory hereafter, which is the desire of millions in the three nations, and amongst them of

Your Honour’s most humble Servant,

THOMAS FULLER.

Zion College, May 2, 1660.