A20529:151
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,1 because herein we may more immediately and clearly behold Gods hand, which is a means to draw us to more speedy and earnest humiliation: whereas if we were pursued by the sword of men, we should be more distracted, sometimes with fears of and grief, §1for the enemies violence; sometimes with hopes either of mercy from them, or of aid from others: all which do either utterly withdraw us from, or much hinder us in the work of humiliation.
First,1 because heerein we may more immediately and cleerely behold Gods hand, which is a meanes to draw vs to more speedy and earnest humiliation: whereas if we were pursued by the sword of men, we should be more distracted, sometimes with feares of and greese, §1for the enemies violence; sometimes with hopes either of mercy from them, or of aid from others: all which do either vtterly withdraw vs from, or much hinder vs in the worke of humiliation.
- 1Reasons why the pestilence is a more favourable stroke then the sword.Reasons why the pestilence is a more fauorable stroke then the sword.
Secondly, in the time of the pestilence the adversaries §2of Religion have not such matter of insultation, as when wars are hot in the Land: for then they would triumph in this or the like manner: Now these forward men shall pay for it: down they shall all the sort of them: they were wont to brag that God would be their buckler and their shield; their refuge, and their strong tower of defence: but what will become of them now? thus would they insult over Gods chosen, in the time of war: but in the time of this sickness, they themselves are exceedingly afraid, & even at their wits end, (knowing that hell and destruction gape for them, whensoever death taketh hold of them:) whereas Christians are quiet, and full of peace & joy in the holy Ghost, knowing that if they die, they shall go from earth to heaven, from a place of misery, to a palace of glory.