A20529:208
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.
From this lamentable complaint of his, ariseth this doctrine, that
It much troubleth the souls of godly men, to see a small number of Christians. Hence proceedeth that lamentation of the Prophet Micah: Woe is me, for I am as the Summer gatherings, &c: 1or, I am in case, as in the destruction of the Summer fruits: as in Hosea it is said, The fishes of the Sea shall be gathered: that is, destroyed: and that this is the sense,2 it appeareth in the words following, when it is said, There is no cluster to eat: My soul desired the first ripe fruits: that is, I am as one that hath a fervent longing for them, and yet can get none of them; and what is the reason of this his lamentation? The good man (saith he) is perished out of the earth, and there is none righteous among men, &c. So that the effect of those words is thus much: that look how worldlings would grieve, if they should see their grapes and figs (which were special commodities in those countries) to fail, and their expectation that way to be utterly frustrate; so, and much more bitterly did the Prophet bewail the loss of good & righteous men. That was it also that did so pierce the heart of Elijah, Lord (saith he) the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, broken down thy Altars,