A01528:8
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.
London: printed by John Haviland for William Bladen, 1624London: printed by Iohn Hauiland for William Bladen, 1624
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.
Right Worshipful,
Right Worshipfull,
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 clea•ing 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 ⟨image 3⟩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.