I Make no question, but every one of You is sensible of the great Burthen, the Honour You have done Me This Day, carries with it, even in the most Sedate Times: But when Publick Calamities seem to Threaten this City, and Nation, so much the greater ought the Care and Vigilancy of the Magistrate to be.

[Page 2] I wish I could truly say, There were no Occasion for any such Apprehensions; and whatever hath been of late of that kind, were without cause.

I have the Testimony of my own Conscience▪ that I have always had a great sence of my Unfitness for such a Trust; and that my own Ambition hath not had any share in the Work of this Day.

But seeing the Providence of God, with your good Opi­nions, hath placed me in this Station, I intend (by His Bles­sing) to undergo it chearfully; and endeavour to understand, and then to do my Duty, as becomes an Honest Man, with­out Favour, or Affection, or regard to any Private Interest of my Own.

And I resolve, (according to the best of my Understand­ing, and with the Advice of my Worthy Brethren the Alder­men) that the Law shall be my Rule; the Observation of which, next to our Duties to God, I make no question will by His good Providence, be a means to preserve Us in our Religion, and Properties, protect Me in doing My Duty, and be grateful to You and every good Man.

There is One Thing I would beg, That every one of You in your several Stations, would consider the Duty incumbent upon himself, by the wholsom Laws, Customs and Usages of this City; and answer to a good Mind the discharge of the same; lest, whilst we are under such great Apprehensions of the Loss of our good Government and Constitution by the At­tempts of our Enemies, we become Instruments of our own Ruine, and bring that Confusion upon our selves by a supine Neglect, which otherwise (I trust) all the diligence of our Enemies will never be able to accomplish.

Let it never be said of this Famous City, (the present En­vy of all her Neighbours) as once it was of old Rome, (then the Envy of the whole World) Roma suis Viribus ruit; Rome's Destruction was from her self: but let it never be so said of London. Rome indeed had many and powerful Ene­mies [Page 3] Abroad; but, had She not Divided within Her Self, and fallen into Faction at Home, those could not have hurt Her. We cannot be Ignorant how Busie our Common-Adversaries, the Church of Rome, and Her Emissaries, are, in Sowing Seeds of Dissention amongst us, in hopes of a Plentiful Harvest in our Destructions: Let us therefore, who Intend to be Protestants, as we tender our own Preservation, be Admonish'd to Unite, and Joyn Together, as becomes Men in the Same Common-Danger to do; I Mean, in Defence of His Majesties Royal Per­son, and Government; The True Protestant Religion, our Laws, our Lives, our Liberties, and Properties; and, This Great Me­tropolis, Against all such Endeavours, and Damnable Plots and Contrivances, as have been, and (I fear) still are, in Agita­tion against us; And, let no diligence of the Adversary prevail to make a Breach amongst us; nor no Difference of Opinion, amongst Protestants, be so much as Remembred, or once men­tion'd in This Our Time of Extremity, When, no less then Utter Ruine is Threatned to the Whole Protestant Interest; and which, nothing but a Firm Ʋnion amongst Themselves, and Gods Providence, can, in Human Probability, Prevent: And, if we thus Joyn our Hands, and Ʋnite our Hearts in Prayer, to that God, who hath so Miraculously Preserved, and Restored this CITY hitherto, notwithstanding the many Attempts against it, we may reasonably assure our selves, He will, in His Good Time, Work out a Mighty Deliverance for us;

Which God of His Mercy Grant; and, let all Good Protestants Say, AMEN.

I Bless God for this Opportunity, That I can see the Face of my Successor; a Person, from whom you may, and I do promise my self a Supply, of what was deficient in me. I call God to Witness, that I have endeavoured to Serve you Impartially; for which, I do first Return my Hearty Thanks to that Good God; and next, to my Worthy Brethren, who were alwayes so near me.

Now, I Pray God to continue his Blessings upon your Persons, and Families; upon the Governor, and Government of this CITY; Particularly, up­on HIS MAJESTY, and His Go­vernment; That God would give Him a Long and Happy Reign.