Christian constancy crowned by Christ A funeral sermon on Apocalypse 2.10. preached at the…Christian constancy crovvned by Christ A funerall sermon on Apocalyps 2.10. preached at the…
Christian constancy crowned by Christ A funeral sermon on Apocalypse 2.10. preached at the burial of M. William Winter, citizen of London; together with the testimony then given unto him. By Thomas Gataker, B. of D. and pastor of Rotherhith.Christian constancy crovvned by Christ A funerall sermon on Apocalyps 2.10. preached at the buriall of M. VVilliam Winter, citizen of London; together with the testimonie then giuen vnto him. By Thomas Gataker, B. of D. and pastor of Rotherhith.
Thomas Gataker 1574–1654London: printed by John Haviland for William Bladen, 1624London: printed by Iohn Hauiland for William Bladen, 1624
[8], 31, [1] p. · 8.9k words · STC 11653 · ESTC S102884
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL Mr. ROBERT OFFLY MASTER of the company of Haberdashers, and the right Worshipful Sir JOHN GARRET Knight, Mr. Alderman HAMMERSLY, Mr. Alderman WHITMORE, Mr. Alderman RANTON, and other worthy fathers and brethren of the said Company, all prosperity in this world, and happiness in the world to come.
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL Mr. ROBERT OFFLY MASTER of the company of Habberdashers, and the right Worshipfull Sir IOHN GARRET Knight, Mr. Alderman HAMMERSLY, Mr. Alderman WHITMORE, Mr. Alderman RANTON, and other worthy fathers and brethren of the said Company, all prosperitie in this world, and happinesse in the world to come.
Albeit the expressions of a gracious heart by lively voice breed deeper impressions, (God attending his own ordinance of preaching with a more special blessing) yet writing hath in this respect a prerogative, that holy truths thus conveyed to the world spread further, and continue longer. ⟨image 3⟩Those therefore deserve well of the Church that this way impart those things to public and future use, by which God wrought on the hearts of the hearers for the present. In which respect this funeral Sermon preached out of love and honour of the graces of God in a poor, yet well esteemed Christian (Master WINTER) may gain acceptan••, as being not only for matter sound, for handling clear, but for the times seasonable. For what more necessary in these times, wherein many are ashamed of the downright profession of that religion by which they hope to be saved, than to press constant faithfulness in known truths, unto which all promises are entailed? Particular points have been much and long urged amongst us, it is very needful that constant cleaing to all those blessed truths likewise be enforced. And from what stronger encouragement can this be, than from a crown of life here promised to the crown of all graces, Perseverance? Since the fall, one dangerous disease of the soul, is unsettledness in good purposes, especially when either discouragements or allurements are offered. But
what will not a soul break through, that hath in the eye of it a crown held out to all that hold out to the end▪ by him who hath both obtained it for us, and keepeth it for us, and us for it? There is a mutual passage of trust between God and us (for thus graciously he condescendeth to us.) We trust him with the salvation of our souls, he trusteth us with his truth, which if by grace we be enabled to keep, it will keep us▪ and raise up our hearts to an expectation of all good from our faithful and good God, even at that time when our souls gasp for comfort, at the hour of death. And at the day of judgement the sentence will pass, not according to greatness of parts and place, but according to faithfulness, Well done, not learned, wise, rich, but faithful servant, &c.
ALbeit the expressions of a gracious heart by liuely voice breed deeper impressions, (God attending his own ordinance of preaching with a more speciall blessising) yet writing hath in this respect a prerogatiue, that holy truths thus conueyed to the world spread further, and continue longer. ⟨image 3⟩Those therefore deserue well of the Church that this way impart those things to publike and future vse, by which God wrought on the hearts of the hearers for the present. In which respect this funerall Sermon preached out of loue and honour of the graces of God in a poore, yet well esteemed Christian (Master WINTER) may gaine acceptan••, as being not onely for matter sound, for handling cleere, but for the times seasonable. For what more necessarie in these times, wherein many are ashamed of the downeright profession of that religion by which they hope to be saued, than to presse constant faithfulnesse in known truths, vnto which all promises are intailed? Particular points haue beene much and long vrged amongst vs, it is very needfull that constant clea•ing to all those blessed truths likewise be inforced. And from what stronger incouragement can this be, than from a crown of life here promised to the crowne of all graces, Perseuerance? Since the fall, one dangerous disease of the soule, is vnsetlednesse in good purposes, especially when either discouragements or alluremēts are offered. But ⟨image 3⟩what wil not a soule break thorow, that hath in the eie of it a crowne held out to all that hold out to the end▪ by him who hath both obtained it for vs, and keepeth it for vs, and vs for it? There is a mutuall passage of trust between God and vs (for thus graciously he condescendeth to vs.) We trust him with the saluation of our soules, he trusteth vs with his truth, which if by grace we be inabled to keepe, it will keepe vs▪ and raise vp our hearts to an expectation of all good frō our faithfull and good God, euen at that time when our soules gaspe for comfort, at the houre of death. And at the day of iudgement the sentence will passe, not according to greatnesse of parts and place, but according to faithfulnesse, Well done, not learned, wise, rich, but faithfull seruant, &c.
This Sermon entreating of things thus useful, is presented by me, as entreated by the widow of the late deceased (Master WINTER) and some others whom I respect, and to you as chief of that Company whereof he was a poor member: and this by willing consent of the author, my reverend & ancient friend of whom I am not willing to take this occasion to speak: his long, faithful, learned labours ⟨image 4⟩in the Church have made him sufficiently known. He gave her full power of the copy for her use. Which in her behalf, and at her desire, I offer unto your worships as a testimony of her respect, as likewise if there be a blessing in your hands in the behalf of the Orphans of such as have been of your Company, I was not unwilling to take this advantage of presenting her estate to your merciful considerations, considering she traineth up a son at the University for the future service of the Church. It is a special blessing of God where he hath given power and a willing mind to do good, to offer likewise the opportunity of fit objects that bounty be not misplaced; which here undoubtedly you shall have, and the blessing of the fatherless and widow shall come upon you. The Lord lead you on in a course of faithfulness to which we are here encouraged, that in the end you may receive the crown of life which is here promised.
This Sermon intreating of things thus vsefull, is presented by me, as intreated by the widow of the late deceased (Master WINTER) and some others whom I respect, and to you as chiefe of that Company whereof he was a poore member: and this by willing consent of the author, my reuerend & ancient friend of whom I am not willing to take this occasion to speake: his long, faithfull, learned labours ⟨image 4⟩in the Church haue made him sufficiently knowne. He gaue her full power of the copy for her vse. Which in her behalfe, and at her desire, I offer vnto your worships as a testimony of her respect, as likewise if there be a blessing in your hands in the behalfe of the Orphans of such as haue beene of your Company, I was not vnwilling to take this aduantage of presenting her estate to your mercifull considerations, considering she traineth vp a sonne at the Vniuersitie for the future seruice of the Church. It is a speciall blessing of God where he hath giuen power and a willing mind to do good, to offer likewise the opportunity of fit obiects that bounty be not misplaced; which here vndoubtedly you shall haue, and the blessing of the fatherlesse and widow shall come vpon you. The Lord leade you on in a course of faithfulnes to which we are here encouraged, that in the end you may receiue the crowne of life which is here promised.
IT shall be needless to make stay upon any curious Analysis, either of this whole Chapter in general, or in particular of that Epistle, whereof my Text is a parcel. It containeth an entire Sentence of it self, and may well therefore be handled by it self.
IT shall be needlesse to make stay vpon any curious Analysis, either of this whole Chapter in generall, or in particular of that Epistle, whereof my Text is a parcell. It containeth an entire Sentence of it selfe, and may well therefore be handled by it selfe.
They are the words of our Saviour to the Angel or aPastor of the Church bof Smyrna: and they divide themselves into two parts,3
a precept.
a promise.
They are the words of our Sauiour to the Angell or aPastor of the Church bof Smyrna: and they diuide themselues into two parts,3
a precept.
a promise.
aFrustra est […] Origenes, qui de Spiritibus coelestibus interpretatur […] Luc. h•m. 13. & 3•Frustra est 〈…〉 Origenes, qui de Spiritibus coelestibus interpretatur 〈…〉 Luc. h•m. 13. & 3•
1In the precept we may observe,
21. The duty required, fidelity or faithfulness: Be thou faithful: 3and
42. The stint, or extent of it; Unto death.
1In the precept we may obserue,
21. The dutie required, fidelitie or faithfulnesse: Be thou faithfull: 3and
42. The stint, or extent of it; Vnto death.
1For the first branch, the duty required or enjoined;2 Be faithful. The word faithful, is ambiguous,3 and may be taken two ways; and in a twofold sense is it given to the godly. For as the word cFaith is taken sometime for credulity, 5and sometime for fidelity; sometime for trust, and sometime for trustiness; sometime for confidence in another, and sometime for faithfulness to another: In the former sense it is taken in those phrases so usual; dFaith in Christ, and eFaith in his Name: 8In the latter sense it is taken in those words of our Saviour, fYou neglect judgement, mercy, and faith, or fidelity; and in those of the Apostle, gLet servants show all faith (that is,11 faithfulness) to their Masters. So Gods Saints and servants are termed hfaithful in a twofold respect: sometime in regard of their faith; that is, their belief and confidence in Christ: iBe not faithless, but faithful; saith our Saviour to ⟨p. 3⟩Thomas: And, kWhat part hath the faithful with the Infidel? 15saith the Apostle; that is, the believer with the unbelieving. Sometime in regard of their fidelity and faithfulness unto Christ: lWho is a wise and a faithful servant? saith our Saviour. And, mI have received mercy of God, to be faithful; •aith the Apostle: which of the former nsome mis-expound. In this latter sense (as I take it) is the word here to be taken. For so is Antipas oa little after termed pChrists faithful Martyr: and what is here said of being faithful to death, is in the next Epistle called, qthe keeping of his works to the end.
1For the first branch, the dutie required or enioyned;2 Be faithfull. The word faithfull, is ambiguous,3 and may be taken two waies; and in a twofold sense is it giuen to the godly. For as the word cFaith is taken sometime for credulitie, 5and sometime for fidelitie; sometime for trust, and sometime for trustinesse; sometime for confidence in another, and sometime for faithfulnesse to another: In the former sense it is taken in those phraeses so vsuall; dFaith in Christ, and eFaith in his Name: 8In the latter sense it is taken in those words of our Sauiour, fYou neglect iudgement, mercy, and faith, or fidelitie; and in those of the Apostle, gLet seruants shew all faith (that is,11 faithfulnesse) to their Masters. So Gods Saints and seruants are termed hfaithfull in a twofold respect: sometime in regard of their faith; that is, their beliefe and confidence in Christ: iBe not faithlesse, but faithfull; saith our Sauiour to ⟨p. 3⟩Thomas: And, kWhat part hath the faithfull with the Infidell? 15saith the Apostle; that is, the beleeuer with the vnbeleeuing. Sometime in regard of their fidelitie and faithfulnesse vnto Christ:
nNon quia •ram, sed ut essem, ne meritum fidei Dei misericordiam praeveniat. Aug. de grat. & lib. arb. c. 6. & 14. & de praedest. sanct. c. 2. & 3. De fide justificante intelligens.Non quia •ram, sed ut essem, ne meritum fidei Dei misericordiam praeveniat. Aug. de grat. & lib. arb. c. 6. & 14. & de praedest. sanct. c. 2. & 3. De fide iustificante intelligens.
o[Greek or Hebrew], contractum ex [Greek or Hebrew]: sicut [Greek or Hebrew]. Lucius, Lucas. Ar•emidorus, Artemas. Numerius, Numas, &c. vise Var. de •ing. Lat. l. 7. & Scalig. ad Catul.〈non-Latin alphabet〉, contractum ex 〈non-Latin alphabet〉: sicut 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Lucius, Lucas. Ar•emidorus, Artemas. Numerius, Numas, &c. vise Var. de •ing. Lat. l. 7. & Scalig. ad Catul.
