Title page, A spark toward the kindling of sorrow for Zion A meditation on Amos 6.… (Thomas Gataker, 1621) | AskReformation
A01548:0
A spark toward the kindling of sorrow for Zion A meditation on Amos 6.…A sparke tovvard the kindling of sorrow for Sion A meditation on Amos 6.…
A spark toward the kindling of sorrow for Zion A meditation on Amos 6. 6. Being the sum of a sermon preached at Sergeants Inn in Fleet-Street. By Thomas Gataker B. of D. and pastor of Rotherhith.A sparke tovvard the kindling of sorrow for Sion A meditation on Amos 6. 6. Being the summe of a sermon preached at Sergeants Inne in Fleet-Street. By Thomas Gataker B. of D. and pastor of Rotherhith.
Thomas Gataker 1574–1654London: printed by John for William Sheffard, 1621London: printed by Iohn for William Sheffard, 1621
[10], 39, [1] p. · 11k words · STC 11675 · ESTC S102988
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,
IT cannot but be most true of our times, that the blessed Apostles spake almost sixteen hundred years since; aHora est novissima; The last hour is now a running. And, bwe are those on whom the ends of the world are fallen. Towards the end whereof, we were also long since forewarned by our Saviour himself, That cIniquity should grow rife, and Charity wax cold. That ⟨image 3⟩which had it not been foretold us, yet Reason might inform us, and our own daily Experience doth too evidently enforce on us. For dthe older every thing is, the nearer it approacheth its end. And in every thing ordinarily ethe worst cometh last. fOld-age is the common receptacle of all bodily evils and maladies. And howsoever gSkill may increase as years come on, being gathered much by observation, that asketh Time and continuance; yet (to omit that hJudgement also groweth weak commonly with the brain, the seat of it) iPractise necessarily faileth, as ability impaireth, while age bringeth with it as kan abatement ⟨image 3⟩of natural heat, so la decay of sense, and consequently issuing a coldness from the one, and a numbness from the other. mThis Age of ours is the worlds Old-age. nThat which we call Antiquity, was indeed the worlds Youth. Time is grown grey with us, that was green with them that then lived. And no marvel then, oif into this last Age of the world, as into a filthy sink, or common sewer of some great house or vast City, all the Vices of former times be gathered together: And as pevil things are wont to wax worse by continuance, be grown ranker now then ever they were; The Devil himself, it seemeth, also bestirring himself, and qraging the more fiercely, because he seeth his time to be but short. Yea no marvel is it, if, according to the nature of Old-age, though there be rmore light now, then ⟨image 4⟩ever there was, yet there be snot heat […] answerable to that light, nor affection to good things in any due proportion to the skill and knowledge of them; if, as tthe manner of old men is, we be ufull of tongue, but weak and feeble of hand, having much speech and dispute, but little performance or practise; not *a luke-warmness, but xa key-coldness, nor a bare numbness, but a mere ydeadness (as in the last ruins and decays of Old-age, is rather za lingering death, then a lengthening of life) having generally possest the hearts and minds of the most.
Right Worshipfull,
IT cannot but be most true of our times, that the blessed Apostles spake almost sixteene hundred yeares since; aHora est nouissima; The last houre is now a running. And, bwee are those on whom the ends of the world are fallen. Towards the end whereof, we were also long since forewarned by our Sauiour himselfe, That cIniquity should grow rife, and Charitie waxe cold. That ⟨image 3⟩which had it not beene foretold vs, yet Reason might enforme vs, and our own daily Experience doth too euidently enforce on vs. For dthe older euery thing is, the neerer it approacheth its end. And in euery thing ordinarily ethe worst commeth last. fOld-age is the common receptacle of all bodily euills and maladies. And howsoeuer gSkill may encrease as yeers come on, being gathered much by obseruation, that asketh Time and continuance; yet (to omit that hIudgement also groweth weake commonly with the braine, the seate of it) iPractise necessarily faileth, as ability impaireth, while age bringeth with it as kan abatement ⟨image 3⟩of naturall heate, so la decay of sense, and consequently issuing a coldnes from the one, and a numnesse from the other. mThis Age of ours is the worlds Old-age. n
eIn imo pessimū. Sen. epist. 1. Quema•modum ex amphora primū, quod est sincerissimum, esslait, gravissimum quodque turbidumque subsidit: sic in aetate nostra, quod est optimum primum est; segnius & languidius est quod superest propius a fine. Ibid. 108.In imo pessimū. Sen. epist. 1. Quema•modum ex amphora primū, quod est sincerissimum, esslait, grauissimum quodque turbidumque subsidit: sic in aetate nostra, quod est optimum primum est; segnius & languidius est quod superest propius a fine. Ibid. 108.
f[Greek or Hebrew]. Menand. [Greek or Hebrew]. Antiph. [Greek or Hebrew]. Idem. [Greek or Hebrew]. Bion. apud Laert. [Greek or Hebrew]. Plato Axioch. [Greek or Hebrew]. Eurip. Oenom. - subeunt morbi tristisque senectus. Virg. Georg. 3. Non immeritò semper uná ponit morbos & senectutem. Sen. ep. 108. -circumsilit agmine facto Mo•borum omne genus.- Ivven. sat. 10. Eccles. 12.1-8.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Menand. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Antiph. . Idem. . Bion. apud Laert. . Plato Axioch. . Eurip. Oenom. - subeunt morbi tristisque senectus. Virg. Georg. 3. Non immeritò semper uná ponit morbos & senectutem. Sen. ep. 108. -circumsilit agmine facto Moborum omne genus.- Iuuen. sat. 10.
I need not make any long appeal to Experience, for the justification of this Charge. For the rifeness of Iniquity, of all kind with all sorts; gwho •eeth not what an height Impiety and Impurity are grown to in most places? Even so great, hthat the rankness and ripeness thereof, seemeth to call ⟨image 4⟩•loud for athe sharp fickle in the hand of the destroying Angel, the Executioner of Gods Anger. And the general broils as this instant in all parts almost of Christendom, may well persuade us, that even the bbottomless pit is broken up, and set open; and cSatan and his limbs let loose; for how long, he best knoweth, dwho hath their tether (which in these evils, is our chief comfort) in his hand. Mean while our Coldness and Numbness appeareth in nothing more then in this, that ewe are grown insensible of our own evils; and notwithstanding the rueful and lamentable estate of the Church of God, in most parts at the present, and the insupportable afflictions that the Lords Faithful Servants, our Brethren, and fellow-members in Christ Jesus, do by occasion of these hurly-burlies daily endure; yet fthe most regard it not, nor take any notice at all of it, save as matter of news and novelty, to furnish discourse, or to feed their itching gAthenian-like humours withal. hA great coldness, and a strange numbness indeed, ⟨image 5⟩arguing an utter want of zeal to Gods Truth, and love to his flock, when nothing affecteth men, but what they personally feel, or fear may befall themselves. Yea even among those few, to speak of, that seem to take these things to heart, hard it is to find a fellow-feeling affection any thing proportionable to the occasion given of it, or such as could not but possess us, were spiritual life and heat so fresh, and so vigorous in us as it ought. To help therefore ito re-enkindle this heavenly Fire, that with many seemeth klanguishing and ready to go out, and to repair this holy lHeat, so much every where mimpaired through the Iniquity of the times, I here tender my nSpark, taken from the sacred oCenser, and in that regard not mine own. Which howsoever it may seem, being so little as it is, likely of it self to do little: (And yet pa little spark qmeeting with some kind of matter may do much, and hath many times been means of raising a greater ⟨image 5⟩fire then could easily again be quenched:
I need not make any long appeale to Experience, for the iustification of this Charge. For the rifenesse of Iniquitie, of all kinde with all sorts; gwho •eeth not what an height Impietie and Impuritie are growne to in most places? Euen so great, hthat the rancknesse and ripenesse thereof, seemeth to call ⟨image 4⟩•loud for athe sharpe fickle in the hand of the destroying Angell, the Executioner of Gods Anger. And the generall broiles as this instant in all parts almost of Christendome, may well perswade vs, that euen the bbottomlesse pit is broken vp, and set open; and cSatan and his limbes let loose; for how long, hee best knoweth, dwho hath their tedder (which in these euils, is our chiefe comfort) in his hand. Meane while our Coldnesse and Numnesse appeareth in nothing more then in this, that ewe are growne insensible of our owne euils; and notwithstanding the ruefull and lamentable estate of the Church of God, in most parts at the present, and the insupportable afflictions that the Lords Faithfull Seruants, our Brethren, and fellow-members in Christ Iesus, doe by occasion of these hurly-burlies daily endure; yet fthe most regard it not, nor take any notice at all of it, saue as matter of newes and nouelty, to furnish discourse, or to feed their itching gAthenian-like humors withall. hA great coldnesse, and a strange numnesse indeed, ⟨image 5⟩arguing an vtter want of zeale to Gods Truth, and loue to his flock, when nothing affecteth men, but what they personally feele, or feare may befall themselues. Yea euen among those few, to speak of, that seeme to take these things to heart, hard it is to finde a fellow-feeling affection any thing proportionable to the occasion giuen of it, or such as could not but possesse vs, were spirituall life and heat so fresh, and so vigorous in vs as it ought. To helpe therefore
gQuando etenim uberior vitiorum copia? Inuen. sat. 1. Praeter paucissimos quosdam qui mala fugiunt, quid est aliud poene omnis coetus Christianorum, quàm sentina vitiorum? Saluian. de provid. l. 3. c. 8.Quando etenim vberior vitiorum copia? Inuen. sat. 1. Praeter paucissimos quosdam qui mala fugiunt, quid est aliud poene omnis coetus Christianorum, quàm sentina vitiorum? Saluian. de prouid. l. 3. c. 8.
hUltraiam vix quo progrediatur habet. Ovid. Fast. 1.Vltraiam vix quo progrediatur habet. Ouid. Fast. 1.
eJerem. 2.30. & 3.5. [Greek or Hebrew]. Plut. de merb. animi. Quid amentius qu•m in malis esse, & malorum intelligentiam non babere? Salu; de provid. l. 6. c. 12.Ierem. 2.30
And a weak word may prove powerful and effectual in this kind, accompanied with his Spirit, of whom it was sometime said; rDid not our hearts glow within us, while he talked with us?) Howsoever, I say, of it self it may be deemed unlikely to do ought; yet it may do something, and not a little, by provoking some others, better stored in this kind then my self, to bring in greater plenty of fuel, toward the raising, maintaining, and feeding of this Fire. Some little effect. I found of it, (which the rather encourageth me now to publish it) by some that seemed to be affected with it at that time, when it was delivered in your Worships hearing among others. Since which time, the notes of it lay by me, not looked after, among my loose papers, till of late requested to revise sthe work of a Reverend Divine, somewhat of the like subject, translated out of his own language, wherein he writ it, into ours; (which work I wish had lighted on a more skilful Translator) I was thereby put in mind of them, and having as well as I now could (being above a twelve-month since it was preached) by help of mine own ⟨image 6⟩memory, and the notes of some that then writ, supplied them, and so far forth perfected them, as my present employments would permit, I thought good to add this my Spark to that Fire, which that worthy man had so happily begun to kindle, and I wish many others may second him and me in. That being so done, I make bold to present unto your Worship, partly as to one that are, I doubt not, affected seriously with Josephs Afflictions; and will therefore, I presume, like well of the Argument therein dealt with; and partly also as to one, from whom I have at divers times received sundry favours and kindnesses, my thankfulness for which, I do willingly take occasion hereby to acknowledge. Wherewith concluding, I leave your Worship to Gods gracious protection, and rest
And a weake word may prooue powerfull and effectuall in this kinde, accompanied with his Spirit, of whom it was sometime said; rDid not our hearts glow within vs, while hee talked with vs?) Howsoeuer, I say, of it selfe it may be deemed vnlikely to doe ought; yet it may doe something, and not a little, by prouoking some others, better stored in this kinde then my selfe, to bring in greater plenty of fewell, toward the raising, maintaining, and feeding of this Fire. Some little effect. I found of it, (which the rather encourageth mee now to publish it) by some that seemed to be affected with it at that time, when it was deliuered in your Worships hearing among others. Since which time, the notes of it lay by me, not looked after, among my loose papers, till of late requested to reuise sthe worke of a Reuerend Diuine, somewhat of the like subiect, translated out of his owne language, wherein he writ it, into ours; (which worke I wish had lighted on a more skilfull Translator) I was therby put in mind of them, and hauing as well as I now could (being aboue a twelue-month since it was preached) by helpe of mine owne ⟨image 6⟩memory, and the notes of some that then writ, supplied them, and so farre foorth perfected them, as my present imployments would permit, I thought good to adde this my Sparke to that Fire, which that worthy man had so happily begun to kindle, and I wish many others may second him and me in. That being so done, I make bold to present vnto your Worship, partly as to one that are, I doubt not, affected seriously with Iosephs Afflictions; and will therfore, I presume, like well of the Argument therein dealt with; and partly also as to one, from whom I haue at diuers times receiued sundrie fauours and kindnesses, my thankfulnesse for which, I doe willingly take occasion hereby to acknowledge. Wherewith concluding, I leaue your Worship to Gods gratious protection, and rest
THE Minister and Messenger of this Prophecy was Amos;1 not athe father of Isaiah, as bsome of the Ancients have thought: Not their cnames only in the original, but their descents also (if the Jewish Rabbins report may be believed) were divers: the one, as dthey say, of the race royal: this other (as himself confesseth) a poor peasant, eneither a Prophet, nor the son of a Prophet, but a silly fneat-herd, and a plucker of sycamores, ⟨p. 2⟩till it pleased God extraordinarily to call him unto that office.
THE Minister and Messenger of this Prophecie was Amos;1 not athe father of Esay, as bsome of the Ancients haue thought: Not their cnames onely in the originall, but their descents also (if the Iewish Rabbines report may be beleeued) were diuers: the one, as dthey say, of the race royall: this other (as himselfe confesseth) a poore peasant, eneither a Prophet, nor the sonne of a Prophet, but a silly fneat-herd, and a plucker of sycomores, ⟨p. 2⟩till it pleased God extraordinarily to call him vnto that office.
1The Prophet.
aN•m est ipse qu• patrem Esaiae 1.1. legimus. Hie•on in Amos, & Basil. i• Isaiah.N•m est ipse qu• patrem Esaiae 1.1. legimus. Hie•on in Amos, & Basil. i•Esai.
bUt plaerique putant. Hieron. in Isaiah. Sic Clem. Alex. from. l. 1. Epiphan. vit. prophet. & Graeci plaerique. Riber, in prophet. min. praelud.Vt plaerique putant. Hieron. in Esai. Sic Clem. Alex. s•rom. l. 1. Epiphan. vit. prophet. & Graeci plaerique. Riber, in prophet. min. praelud.
cIlle [Greek or Hebrew] scribitur, & robustum significat: esth [Greek or Hebrew] & populu••vulsus interpretatur. Hieron. in Amos. Imò, onerans, ut Arquer. vel onustus potius, ut Ximen sive [Greek or Hebrew], quasi baiulus, ut Hieron. ipse in Jo•l.Ille 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 scribitur, & robustum significat: est•〈non-Latin alphabet〉 & populu••vulsus interpretatur. Hieron. in Amos. Imò, onerans, vt Arquer. vel onustus potius, vt Ximen siue 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, quasi baiulus, vt Hieron. ipse in Io•l.
dIgnoratur familia •ius; traduntur tamen fratres fuisse Amatsias Rex & Amot. R. Kimbi in Esa.
England
Rector of Rotherhithe; member of the Westminster Assembly.
Transcription key
•
an illegible letter
〈…〉
illegible words
〈non-Latin alphabet〉
Greek or Hebrew the transcribers did not key
▪
illegible punctuation
⟨p. 12⟩
a page break in the printed book
That which we call Antiquitie, was indeed the worlds Youth. Time is growne gray with vs, that was greene with them that then liued. And no maruell then,
if into this last Age of the world, as into a filthy sinke, or common sewer of some great house or vast City, all the Vices of former times be gathered together: And as
euill things are wont to waxe worse by continuance, be growne rancker now then euer they were; The Deuill himselfe, it seemeth, also bestirring himselfe, and
g[Greek or Hebrew]. Solon. [Greek or Hebrew]. Eurip. Phoen. [Greek or Hebrew]. Idem Beller. - non omnia grandior aetas Quae fugiamus habet: seris venit usus ab annis. Ovid. met. l. 6. [Greek or Hebrew]. Soph. Oedip.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Solon. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Eurip. Phoen. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Idem Beller. - non omnia grandior aetas Quae fugiamus habet: seris venit vsus ab annis. Ouid. met. l. 6. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Soph. Oedip.
l[Greek or Hebrew]. Junc. de se•. [Greek or Hebrew]. Plato Axioch.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Iunc. de se•. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Plato Axioch.
mHinc Augustin. Christum ait in 6• aetate tanquam in mundi senectute venisse. retract. l. 1. c. 26. & de Gen. ad Man. l. 1. c. 23. Vise 2. Esdr. 5.55, 56. Ambr. de bon. mort. c. 18. et Sidon. epist. 6. lib. 8. Sed & quae contra banc Tremellij sententiam columel. de re rust. l. 2. c. 1. disseruit.
nAntiquitas mum di inventus est seculi.Antiquitas mū di inventus est seculi.
pJer. 9.3. 2. Tim. 3.13. Damnosa quid non imminuit dies? Aetas parentum peior avis tulit Nos nequiores mox daturos Progeniem vitiosiorem. Horat. carm. 3.6.Ier. 9.3. 2. Tim. 3.13. Damnosa quid non imminuit dies? Aetas parentum peior auis tulit Nos nequiores mox daturos Progeniem vitiosiorem. Horat. carm. 3.6.
qApocal. 12.12. Extrema mundi atrocius tentaturus aggreditur: quia tanto fit feruentior ad saevitiam, quant• see sentit viciniorem ad poenam. Gregor. moral. lib. 34. cap. 1. Furore pestis peior in novissimo. Prudent. Steph. 10.Apocal. 12.12. Extrema mundi atrocius tentaturus aggreditur: quia tanto fit feruentior ad saeuitiam, quant• se sentit viciniorem ad poenam. Gregor. moral. lib. 34. cap. 1. Furore pestis peior in nouissimo. Prudent. Steph. 10.
rDan. 12.4. Urgent mundi fine scientia proficit, & largius cum tempore excrescit, Gregor. moral lib. 9. cap. 8. Sicut & per incrementa temporum crevit scientia patrum. Idem Ezech. l. 2. hom. 16. Hinc nos nanos Gigan•um humeris insidentes, unde possint plura •is & remotiora videre, dixere Bern, Carn. Joan. Sarish. in metalog. Petr. Bless. epist. 92. Bannes in Thom. par. secundam secundae. Stella in Lucam. Castrens. contr. Wessel. de indulg. & alij.Dan. 12.4. Vrgente mundi fine scientia proficit, & largius cum tempore excrescit, Gregor. moral lib. 9. cap. 8. Sicut & per incrementa temporum creuit scientia patrum. Idem Ezech. l. 2. hom. 16. Hinc nos nanos Gigan•um humeris insidentes, vnde possint plura •is & remotiora videre, dixere Bern, Carn. Ioan. Sarish. in metalog. Petr. Bles. epist. 92. Bannes in Thom. par. secundam secundae. Stella in Lucam. Castrens. contr. Wessel. de indulg. & alij.
s[…] 2.10. Lerner. in Fasciae, […] ad ••. 1415. Ecclesiae tempora in 4. aetates disp. r•itur: in prima erst scientia conscientiae coniuncta: in secunda scientia à conscientia seiuncta: in tertia conscientiae plus quàm scientiae: in qu•rta neque scientia, neque conscientia. Nostra secundae propinquior, in qua plus multo luminis, minus ardoris.〈…〉 2.10. •erner. in Fasciae, 〈…〉 ad ••. 1415. Ecclesiae tempora in 4. aetates disp. r•itur: in prima er•t scientia conscientiae coniuncta: in secunda scientia à conscientia seiuncta: in tertia conscientiae plus quàm scientiae: in qu•rta neque scientia, neque conscientia. Nostra secundae propinquior, in qua plus multo luminis, minus ardoris.
tO sol• fortes garrulitate senes. Maximinian. in eleg. Gallo perperam inscripta. Inde lingua [Greek or Hebrew]. dicta, [Greek or Hebrew].O sol• fortes garrulitate senes. Maximinian. in eleg. Gallo perperam inscripta. Inde lingua 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. dicta, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
u[Greek or Hebrew] Factis procul, verbis tenus philosophi. Epictet. apud Gell. l. 17. c. 19 ignaeva opera, lingua philosopha. Paecuvius. [Greek or Hebrew]. D••o•r. Quae philosophia fuit, facta philologia est. Senec. epist. 108.〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Factis procul, verbis tenus philosophi. Epictet. apud Gell. l. 17. c. 19 ignaeua opera, lingua philosopha. Paecuvius. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. D••o•r. Quae philosophia fuit, facta philologia est. Senec. epist. 108.
z[Greek or Hebrew]. Plato apud Plut. de ser. numin. vind. [Greek or Hebrew]. Junc. de senect. Itaqu• Alexis senex interrogatus quid ageret, [Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Plato apud Plut. de ser. numin. vind. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Iunc. de senect. Itaqu• Alexis senex interrogatus quid ageret, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
meeting with some kinde of matter may doe much, and hath many times been meanes of raising a greater
⟨image 5⟩
fire then could easily againe be quenched:
. & 3.5
. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Plut. de merb. animi. Quid amentius qu•m in malis esse, & malorum intelligentiam non babere? Salu; de prouid. l. 6. c. 12.
fAn non corde captivi, sensu capti, qui inter suorum supplicia rident, qui jugulart si in suorū jugulis non intelligunt, qui morise in suorū mortibus non putant? Salu. ibid. c. 10.An non corde captiui, sensu capti, qui inter suorum supplicia rident, qui iugulart si in suorū iugulis non intelligunt, qui morise in suorū mortibus non putant? Salu. ibid. c. 10.
gAct. 17.21. [Greek or Hebrew]. Demosth. ad epist. Philip.Act. 17.21. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Demosth. ad epist. Philip.
hQuis, r•g•, interfici alter• juxta se videt, & ipse non met•it? quis donum vicini sui ard••••e••it, & […] efficere omnibus medis •ititu•, […], ipse incendio concremetur? Saluian, de provid. l. 6. c. 7.Quis, r•g•, interfici alter• iuxta se videt, & ipse non met•it? quis donum vicini sui ard••••e••it, & 〈…〉 efficere •mnibus medis •ititu•, 〈…〉, ipse incendio concremetur? Saluian, de prouid. l. 6. c. 7.
p[Greek or Hebrew]. Eustath. ad H•m. Et N•nus Di•rys. l. 5. [Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Eustath. ad H•m. Et N•nus Di•rys. l. 5. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
q[Greek or Hebrew]. James 3.5. Sirac. 11.31. Scintilla res parua est, & poene dum cernitur, non videtur; sed si fomlt•m compreh••derit, nutrimenta sui quamuis paruus ignis inuenerit, moenia, urbes, latissimos saltus regionesque consumit. Hieron. in Gal. c. 5. De parua scintilla complentur prunae, & ignis a••ensus comburit multos frugum aceruos. Ben-Syrae apud Drus. adag. & quaest. lib. 3. cap. 23.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Iames 3.5. Sirac. 11.31. Scintilla res parua est, & poene dum cernitur, non videtur; sed si fomlt•m compreh••derit, nutrimenta sui quamuis paruus ignis inuenerit, moenia, vrbes, latissimos saltus regionesque consumit. Hieron. in Gal. c. 5. De parua scintilla complentur prunae, & ignis a••ensus comburit multos frugum aceruos. Ben-Syrae apud Drus. adag. & quaest. lib. 3. cap. 23.
