A20529:305
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.
Which condemneth them of gross dissimulation, that are loth to be accounted ill, and yet make no conscience to be ill. What is this, but to be painted sepulchres, that are fair to look upon, but within full of rotten bones? We may deceive men,1 but God is not deceived: and therefore let us beware of this hypocrisy: and so much the rather, because the Lord hath fearfully discovered and plagued them, that in outward show have borne a great countenance of religion, and yet have lived in secret filthiness, and other vile sins, which in time have come to light to their shame and ruin.
Which condemneth them of grosse dissimulation, that are loth to be accounted ill, and yet make no conscience to be ill. What is this, but to be painted sepulchers, that are faire to looke vpon, but within full of rotten bones? Wee may deceiue men,1 but God is not deceined: and therefore let vs beware of this hypocrisie: and so much the rather, because the Lorde hath fearefully discouered and plagued them, that in outward shew haue borne a great countenance of religion, and yet haue liued in secret filthinesse, and other vile sinnes, which in time haue come to light to their shame and ruine.
The second thing to be observed, is, that we have an eye to the privy corruptions that lurk in our hearts, ⟨p. 91⟩and maintain continual war against them, as Paul did, Rom. 7. and this we should the rather do, because it is a fearful, and yet an usual judgement of God, and that upon many professors, that making no conscience of entertaining wretched lusts and vile affections secretly, they have broken forth to the committing of the gross actions, and so have shamed themselves publicly. And this is a just stroke upon those that would rather seem to be, then in truth desire to be godly, that making no conscience of their thoughts and inward desires, they should in time be so given up, as to make no conscience of their words or deeds.