A20529:104
Four godly and fruitful sermons two preached at Drayton in Oxford-shire, at a fast,…Foure godlie and fruitful sermons two preached at Draiton in Oxford-shire, at a fast,…
Four godly and fruitful sermons two preached at Drayton in Oxford-shire, at a fast, enjoined by authority, by occasion of the pestilence then dangerously dispersed. Likewise two other sermons on the twelfth Psalm. Whereunto is annexed a brief tract of zeal. / By I. Dod. R. Cleaver.Foure godlie and fruitful sermons two preached at Draiton in Oxford-shire, at a fast, enioyned by authoritie, by occasion of the pestilence then dangerously dispearsed. Likewise two other sermons on the twelfth Psalme. VVhereunto is annexed a briefe tract of zeale. / By I. Dod. R. Cleauer.
London: printed by T.C. for William Welbie, 1611
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.
First, let us often search and try our own hearts, and works by the right rule,1 that is, by the holy law of God: for none are lifted up, but such as do not know themselves: for if we rightly considered what we are, and what our actions are, it would take down all that foolish conceitedness, that is naturally ingrafted in us, and cause us to say with the Publican, Lord be merciful to me a sinner: and with Paul, Miserable man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death! 2he was alive; 3that is, thought himself alive, and in very good case, before the law came, & convinced him of his wretched corruptions, he was even as a blind man that fears nothing, though a man came running upon him with a sharp sword, or he were ready to fall down violently from an high and dangerous rock, he would never be daunted at the matter, nor one whit moved, because he sees not that he is in any danger: such was Pauls case, and ⟨p. 337⟩such is the state of every unregenerate man: but when Gods law is once pressed upon the conscience, by the lively working of the holy Ghost, it enlightens the mind, and makes men see their own sinfulness, as Paul did, which is an excellent means to kill all proud and lofty conceits. If therefore we desire to be rid of this hateful and hurtful companion, I mean pride, let us often and earnestly examine our selves by this straight rule of Gods law: we are given to try our selves often by examining whether we be not better than such a man, or such a woman, but this is a false and a deceitful rule: for a man may be better than such and such, and yet be stark naught.
First, let vs often search and trie our owne hearts, and workes by the right rule,1 that is, by the holy law of God: for none are lifted vp, but such as doe not knowe themselues: for if wee rightly considered what we are, and what our actions are, it would take downe all that foolish conceitednes, that is naturallie ingrafted in vs, and cause vs to say with the Publican, Lord bee mercifull to mee a sinner: and with Paul, Miserable man that I am, who shall deliuer mee from the bodie of this death!