A20529:318
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.
Mark this in all the Prophets from time to time, as in Isay, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, &c: whether they did not utter their message in heaviness of spirit: and when they most threatened the people for their sins, observe if they were not most grieved and feared, least they should be executed upon them. This is a blessed temperature, thus to mingle grief with zeal: but that is an over-reaching zeal, that feedeth more on the person then on the sin.
Marke this in all the Prophets from time to time, as in Isay, Ieremie, Ezekiel, Daniel, &c: whether they did not vtter their message in heauinesse of spirit: and when they most threatned the people for their sinnes, obserue if they were not most grieued and feared, least they should be executed vpon them. This is a blessed temperature, thus to mingle griefe with zeale: but that is an ouer-reaching zeale, that feedeth more on the person then on the sinne.
Wherefore we must crave this special grace at the hand of God by prayer, to be governed by a right zeal, and that we may truly discern the difference between fretting anger, and pining zeal. Which if all sorts of men would labour for, receiving this rule in judgement, and observing it in practise, it would breed a great deal more conscience in ministers, magistrates, and masters, when they are to admonish their inferiors. Alas we see many, who can mangle and martyr a man for some offence, who never learned for conscience sake to mourn for those in firmities, which so bitterly they inveigh against in others. The Apostle Paul was of another temper:1 I fear (saith he) to the Corinthians, left when I come, my God abase me among you, and I shall bewail many of them, which have sinned already, &c: he knew nothing by himself, (as he telleth them in another place) yet could he not but lament and be humbled for their offences, who were a part of his Apostolic charge. So Samuel, in the zeal of Gods glory, spares not flatly to tell Saul of his sin, notwithstanding his great authority: and yet in love and compassion to his person,