A16596:112
A double summons the one, to unfeigned repentance. The other, to the worthy receiving…A double summons the one, to vnfained repentance. The other, to the worthie receiuing…
A double summons the one, to unfeigned repentance. The other, to the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper. Delivered in two notable sermons: made, by that worthy martyr of Christ, John Bradford: who suffered in Smith-field An[n]o. Domini. 1555.A double summons the one, to vnfained repentance. The other, to the worthie receiuing of the Lords Supper. Deliuered in two notable sermons: made, by that worthy martyr of Christ, Iohn Bradford: who suffered in Smith-field An[n]o. Domini. 1555.
London: printed by George Purslowe, 1617
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
After prayer for faith, which I would should be first; secondly, because the same springeth out of the hearing, no of Masses, Matins, Cannons, Councils, Doctors, Decrees, but out of the hearing of Gods word, get thee Gods word: but, not that part which serveth specially to Contrition; that is, the Law: but the other part, which serveth specially to consolation and certain persuasions of Gods love towards thee, that is, the Gospel or publication of Gods mercy in Christ, I mean the free promises.
After prayer for faith, which I would should be first; secondly, because the same springeth out of the hearing, no of Masses, Mattins, Cannons, Councels, Doctours, Decrées, but out of the hearing of Gods word, get thée Gods word: but, not that part which serueth specially to Contrition; that is, the Law: but the other part, which serueth specially to consolation and certaine perswasions of Gods loue towards thée, that is, the Gospell or publication of Gods mercie in Christ, I meane the free promises.
But here thou must know, that there are two kinds of promises: one, which is properly of the Law, another of the Gospel. In the promises of the Law, we may indeed behold ⟨p. 49⟩Gods mercy, but so, that it hangeth upon the condition of our worthiness, as, if thou love the Lord with all thy heart, &c. thou shalt find mercy. This kind of promise, though it declare unto us Gods love, which promiseth where he needeth not: yet unto him that feeleth not Christ, which is the end of the Law, they are so far from comforting, that utterly with the Law they bring man to great despair: so greatly we are corrupt, for none so loveth God as he ought to do. From these therefore get thee to the other promises of the Gospel, in which we may see such plenty and frank liberality of Gods goodness, that we cannot but be much comforted though we have very deeply sinned. For these promises of the Gospel do not hang on the condition of our worthiness, as the promises of the Law do: but they depend and hang on Gods truth, that as God is true, so they cannot but be performed to all them which lay hold on them by faith; I had almost said, which cast them not away by unbelief.