A20536:401
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.
Thirdly, Use. 3 this is for the singular comfort of Gods children. What though they have been like the people of Sodom, and of Gomorrah, and have lived like beasts all their life long? yet is there hope that they shall not be cast off: nay, if they can once begin to rinse and purge their hearts, though their sins have been never so horrible, and odious, and abominable; they may be assured of the free and full pardon of them all; neither need they make any doubt at all hereof: for if such kind of sinners might not attain to this, it were in vain for the Lord to exhort them to repentance: but we see here, that though these Jews had received many blessings; heard many instructions and threatenings out of the word, and felt many corrections from Gods own hand, and nothing would drive them from their accustomed course of rebellion, yet notwithstanding all this, if now at last they would grieve their hearts in good earnest, and not pass over the matter with some sleight mourning, (for so far wicked Saul went, when David had told him of his fault in pursuing him that was innocent) but strive for a soaking, and working sorrow: if I say, they would labour for this, the Lord offers them mercy, so that they should forthwith be disburdened of the guilt, and freed from the punishment of all their former wickedness. For when sin is once cast out of the heart, God hath no quarrel against the party; and it can never lurk there long, except it be fed with excuses and allowance. It never sticks so close, nor cleaves so fast, but godly sorrow will make a separation betwixt it and the soul, Note. and crush the very head thereof. That giveth life and root unto it, and makes it grow and bring forth abundance of fruit, when we love it, and ⟨p. 59⟩can say somewhat for it: but if we do not nourish it in our souls, but banish it thence, we shall be accepted whatsoever our life hath formerly been: for as God will never sprinkle the blood of his own Son upon a carnal, and proud, and profane heart: so he will never deny to give the merits of his Son unto an heavy, and sorrowful, and contrite spirit.
Thirdly, Vse. 3 this is for the singular comfort of Gods children. What though they haue been like the people of Sodome, and of Gomorrah, and haue liued like beasts all their life long? yet is there hope that they shall not be cast off: nay, if they can once beginne to rinse and purge their hearts, though their sinnes haue beene neuer so horrible, and odious, and abominable; they may be assured of the free and ful pardon of them al; neither need they make any doubt at all hereof: for if such kind of sinners might not attaine to this, it were in vaine for the Lord to exhort them to repentance: but wee see heere, that though these Iewes had receiued many blessings; heard many instructions and threatnings out of the word, and felt many corrections from Gods owne hand, and nothing would driue them from their accustomed course of rebellion, yet notwithstanding all this, if now at last they would grieue their hearts in good earnest, and not passe ouer the matter with some sleight mourning, (for so farre wicked Saul went, when Dauid had told him of his fault in pursuing him that was innocent) but striue for a soaking, and working sorrow: if I say, they would labour for this, the Lord offers them mercie, so that they should foorthwith bee disburdened of the guilt, and freed from the punishment of all their former wickednesse. For when sinne is once cast out of the heart, God hath no quarell against the partie; and it can neuer lurk there long, except it be fedde with excuses and allowance. It neuer stickes so close, nor cleaues so fast, but godly sorrow will make a separation betwixt it and the soule, Note. and crush the very head thereof. That giueth life and roote vnto it, and makes it grow and bring foorth abundance of fruite, when wee loue it, and