A20529:201
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.
When we see children to have rich and merciful parents to provide for them, we do not much pity them: but as for those that are fatherless and friendless, that are hungry & naked, and altogether destitute of relief, we tender their case, and are ready to relieve them. Can we carry such an affection towards other mens children that are distressed and helpless, and will not the Lord our God have a greater care of his own children in the like case? Will he leave them because men have forsaken them? No surely. But when they are in distresses and straits, and that through their own foolishness and disobedience, if they humble themselves,1 and cry unto him, he will deliver them, though men dare not, or will not speak, or deal for them.
When we see children to haue rich and mercifull parents to prouide for them, we doe not much pitie them: but as for those that are fatherlesse and friendlesse, that are hungry & naked, and altogether destitute of reliefe, we tender their case, and are ready to releeue them. Can we carrie such an affection towards other mens children that are distressed and helplesse, and will not the Lord our God haue a greater care of his owne children in the like case? Will he leaue them because men haue forsaken them? No surely. But when they are in distresses and straits, and that through their owne foolishnesse and disobedience, if they humble themselues,1 and cry vnto him, he will deliuer them, though men dare not, or will not speake, or deale for them.
Thirdly, when Gods servants are left destitute, their §3faith is much exercised and increased: and then we always speed best, when we believe best, So long as we have help about us, we do not so much set our faith a work, as our carnal reason and sense, and so pray not at all, or very coldly: but when we are desolate and forsaken, and those that should be most for us are against us, then we begin to lift up our hearts to heaven, and to cast our selves upon Gods providence and goodness, and to use the weapons of the spirit, and not of the flesh: this is plain in Davids example, who being in great danger in the cave, did at first look about him, for help on this side, and on that: but seeing that all refuge failed him, what did he? I cried unto thee ô Lord (saith he) saying, thou art mine hope, and my portion in the