A20536:382
Ten sermons tending chiefly to the fitting of men for the worthy receiving of…Ten sermons tending chiefely to the fitting of men for the worthy receiuing of…
Ten sermons tending chiefly to the fitting of men for the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper Wherein amongst many other holy instructions: the doctrines of sound repentance and humiliation, and of Gods special favours unto penitent sinners, and worthy communicants are largely and effectually handled. The six first, by I. Dod. The four last, by R. Cleaver. Whereunto is annexed, a plain and learned metaphrase on the epistle to the Colossians, written by a godly and judicious preacher. There is also set before the sermons, a short dialogue of preparation: containing the chief points that concern the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper, taken for the most part, out of the sermons following: and collected into a method for the benefit and ease of those that desire direction in this matter.Ten sermons tending chiefely to the fitting of men for the worthy receiuing of the Lords Supper VVherein amongst many other holy instructions: the doctrines of sound repentance and humiliation, and of Gods speciall fauours vnto penitent sinners, and worthy communicants are largely and effectually handled. The six first, by I. Dod. The foure last, by R. Cleauer. Whereunto is annexed, a plaine and learned metaphrase on the epistle to the Collossians, written by a godly and iudicious preacher. There is also set before the sermons, a short dialogue of preparation: containing the chiefe points that concerne the worthy receiuing of the Lords Supper, taken for the most part, out of the sermons following: and collected into a method for the benefit and ease of those that desire direction in this matter.
London: printed by William Hall for Roger Jackson, 1610London: printed by William Hall for Roger Iackson, 1610
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.
It doth so indeed; and yet if they would follow his direction, he showeth them a way how they might quickly be rid of their corruptions, so that they should not reign over them though they did remain in them: and that is, afflict your selves, and sorrow, and weep: let your laughter, and jesting, and foolish sporting, be turned into nourning; and your joy into heaviness, and lamentation for your iniquities and provocations, whereby you have incensed the Lord: and then though they were brought never so low, yet if they begin to cast down themselves before ⟨p. 51⟩the Lord, he will assuredly raise them up, as there it followeth.
It doth so indeed; and yet if they would follow his direction, he sheweth them a way how they might quickely be ridde of their corruptions, so that they should not raigne ouer them though they did remaine in them: and that is, afflict your selues, and sorrow, and weepe: let your laughter, and iesting, and foolish sporting, bee turned into nourning; and your ioy into heauinesse, and lamentation for your iniquities and prouocations, whereby you haue incensed the Lord: and then though they were brought neuer so low, yet if they begin to cast downe themselues before ⟨p. 51⟩the Lord, he will assuredly raise them vp, as there it followeth.
This duty is further commanded in the Prophecy of Jeremiah, where he speaketh to the whole Church of the Jews, 1in this manner: O lerusalem, wash thy heart from thy wickedness, that thou mayest be saved: how long shall thy wicked thoughts remain within thee? In which place is declared what they must wash; their hearts: For they being made clean, whatsoever proceedeth from thence must needs be suitable thereunto. Secondly, from what they must wash them; from their wickedness: and lastly, to what end; that they might be saved. As if the Prophet had told them in plainer terms; God is ready to give you salvation, and deliverance, both from your sins, and from your miseries: but your own backwardness hindereth good things from you: you do not your duty, and therefore God withholds his mercy, and therefore wash thine heart, O Jerusalem, that thou mayest be saved. And that they needed this washing, he proveth by this evil fruit that did continually spring out of their sinful hearts, saying, How long shall thy wicked thoughts remain within thee? As if he had said: If you doubt of the badness of your hearts, look what thoughts you entertain therein; in the night, and in the day: when you are at home, and when you are abroad: on the way as you ride, or walk: on your beds as you sleep, or wake &c. Consider how many vain and idle thoughts: how many worldly and covetous desires: how many lustful and carnal, yea wicked and impious imaginations, you have swarming, and as it were mustering together by whole troops and armies within your minds, and within your hearts: every one of which is a sufficient summons to put you in mind, to cleanse your souls: for if they were pure and undefiled, such cogitations and affections would dnot be stirring there, neither so often, nor so much as now they are.