A20536:384
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.
The Prophet Joel in like sort urgeth the same upon those of his time, saying, Rent your harts, and not your clothes, &c. But how must that be done? Verse 12 he had told them in the verse immediately going before; Turn unto the Lord with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: which is thus ⟨p. 52⟩much in effect; use all means to get godly sorrow, and holy remorse for sin: for that is it, that will bruise the heart indeed, 1and make it gentle and pliable. For as worldly grief and heaviness doth harden the heart, and make it like a flint: so spiritual grief doth soften it, and makes it tender as flesh: and a fleshy heart is always a clean heart, as doth appear in that former place of Ezekiel, 2where softness of heart is set down as an effect that ever followeth upon the thorough cleansing of the heart. And as this is commended: so the practise thereof is Prophesied and foretold by Zachery in his 12. 3Chap. and the good issue and effect thereof declared in the 13. Chap. As touching the first, we may read it in the 10.11.12.13.14. verses of the former Chapter. I will pour upon the house of David (saith God) and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace &c. and they shall lament, &c. where we may note first, the grievousness of their mourning, (when once Gods holy spirit hath entered into their hearts) in that they should make such woeful lamentation, as one would do for his only son, and for his first borne: or as the Israelites did for Josiah, their godly, and zealous, and faithful King, and governor, 4when he was slain by Necho King of Egypt, in the valley of Megiddo, where Jeremiah, and all the rest mourned for him with an exceeding bitter lamentation. And secondly, we may note the sincerity thereof, in that they should not weep for company (as an hypocrite may do) but every one apart, and in secret before the Lord. For so it is said, And the land shall bewail, Verse 12 every family apart, the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart: the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart, &c. all the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.