1But to come to the matter it self. This Sermon containeth 12. several heads of Doctrine, answerable indeed to the number of the 12. Apostles, to whom it was principally intended, upon their calling to that office, although I dare not say, particularly to be applied part to person, but rather generally the whole to every one; unless it may be, in ⟨image 4⟩the last parcel by the great ruin of the house upon the sands, Christ had a special aim at the fearful fall of Judas that betrayed him. Now the first of these concerneth mans chief 2good in true happiness, which is here so plainly declared in eight several rules, as they lead every man hereto, and give the child of God most comfortable assurance hereof, even in his greatest misery. The second doth more peculiarly respect3 the function of the ministry, the ordinary means of attaining the former happiness. The third restoreth the moral4 law to his true sense and meaning, which the Jewish teachers had shamefully perverted, so as now we may make straight steps unto our feet in the way of obedience. The5 fourth directeth us in the right manner of doing good works, by special instance in these three, Alms, Prayer, and Fasting, wherein the hypocritical Pharisees had spent much labour in vain. The fist prescribeth that moderate care and desire of6 earthly things, which doth stock up covetousness, the root of all evil. The sixth reformeth the practise of rash judgement, 7for the better evidence of humility in our selves, & of love unto our brethren. The seventh prescribeth ministerial discretion, 8in the dispensation of the holy things of God, for the pure keeping of the things themselves, and the safe-being of the dispensers thereof. The eight doth notably encourage 9us both by precept and promise, to the holy exercise of prayer and invocation. The ninth doth furnish us to the practise10 of justice and equity in our civill conversation. The tenth doth11 effectually urge us unto care of our salvation, by walking in the strait way of life, and shunning the broad way that leadeth to destruction. The eleventh doth forewarn us of false teachers,12 who be the main seducers out of the way of life. The twelfth and last, with the conclusion, doth knit up all, persuading13 us both by promise of happiness eternal, and of security, most comfortable;
1But to come to the matter it selfe. This Sermon containeth 12. seuerall heades of Doctrine, answerable indeede to the number of the 12. Apostles, to whome it was principally intended, vpon their calling to that office, although I dare not say, particularly to be applied part to person, but rather generally the whole to euery one; vnlesse it may be, in ⟨image 4⟩the last parcell by the great ruine of the house vpon the sandes, Christ had a speciall ayme at the fearefull fall of Iudas that betraied him. Now the first of these concerneth mans chiefe 2good in true happinesse, which is here so plainly declared in eight seuerall rules, as they lead euery man hereto, and giue the child of God most comfortable assurance hereof, euen in his greatest miserie. The second doth more peculiarly respect3 the function of the ministerie, the ordinarie means of attaining the former happines. The third restoreth the morall4 law to his true sense and meaning, which the Iewish teachers had shamefully peruerted, so as now wee may make straight steps vnto our feete in the way of obedience. The5 fourth directeth vs in the right manner of doing good workes, by speciall instance in these three, Almes, Praier, and Fasting, wherein the hypocriticall Pharisies had spent much labour in vaine. The fist prescribeth that moderate care and desire of6 earthly things, which doth stock vp couetousnesse, the root of all euill. The sixt reformeth the practise of rash iudgement, 7for the better euidence of humilitie in our selues, & of loue vnto our brethren. The seauenth prescribeth ministeriall discretion, 8in the dispensation of the holy things of God, for the pure keeping of the things themselues, and the safe-beeing of the dispensers thereof. The eight doth notablie incourage 9vs both by precept and promise, to the holy exercise of praier and inuocation. The ninth doth furnish vs to the practise
- 1The matter of this Sermon.
- 2Chap. 5. v. 3. to the 13.
- 3Ver. 13. to 17
- 4Vers. 17. to the end of the Chapter.
- 5Chap. 6. v. •. to the 19.
- 6Vers. 19. to the last.
- 7Chap. 7. v. 1. to the 6.
- 8Vers. 6.
- 9Vers. 7. to the 12.
- 10Vers. 12.
- 11Vers. 13, 14.
- 12Vers. 15. to the 21.
- 13Vers. 21. to the •nd•.
