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,…

Secondly,¹ this is for instruction, that we carefully look unto the manner of all our actions, and in particular, of the exercise of fasting, which is now in hand: ⟨p. 11⟩let us consider wherefore we are come together, and what is required of every one that is present this day, to wit, that we should put wickedness out of our hearts, and out of our hands: and for that purpose, come with true humiliation on our part, that there may be a perfect reconciliation granted us on Gods part.

Secondly,¹ this is for instruction, that we carefully looke vnto the manner of all our actions, and in particular, of the exercise of fasting, which is now in hand: ⟨p. 11⟩let vs consider wherefore we are come together, and what is required of euery one that is present this day, to wit, that we should put wickednesse out of our hearts, and out of our hands: and for that purpose, come with true humiliatiō on our part, that there may be a perfect reconciliation granted vs on Gods part.

1. 1Use. 2.Vse. 2.

This was practised by the Ninevites, who hearing Gods judgements denounced against them for their sins,¹ that within forty days Nineveh should be destroyed, except they repented, what did they? All of them, both King and people, humbled themselves in fasting, bewailing their evil & sinful ways and works, and crying mightily unto the Lord for pardon, and resolving to turn from the wickedness that was in their hands, that so God might turn away from his fierce wrath. Yet they had enjoyed but little teaching: they had heard only one Sermon from Jonah, who was a man unknown unto them, and did not bring such testimonies of Scripture to convince their consciences as are now alleged unto us, &c: and therefore we should be much ashamed to come short of them in this holy exercise, especially seeing we have not one Jonah, but many; not a judgement threatened, but executed, and the sword of the Lord still drawn against us, and devouring by hundreds and thousands in many quarters of our land. Let us then search and examine our hearts, and grieve, and judge our selves for all our former transgressions; and covenant with the Lord to avoid them hereafter, craving strength from him for that purpose, that we may be enabled to subdue and keep under all our corruptions: and then our hearts being broken with godly sorrow, they shall be healed with godly joy; and being truly cast down before the Lord, he will raise us up in due season, and make it known by good effect, that he is appeased towards us.