A20536:451
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.
2 Secondly, he hath commanded them to grow in grace, §2and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1There is no further growth in faith, or in any other grace then there is in knowledge. A man may know more then he believeth; but he can never believe more then he knoweth. True knowledge is as it were the chief wheel in a clock, that draweth all the rest of Gods graces after it: and if that stand still, all the rest must needs stand still with it. And therefore it was, that David prayed so often, and so earnestly, 2Teach me thy statutes: open my eyes that I may see the wonders of thy Law: &c. Why? (might some say) was not the Prophet well taught, when he was a teacher of others, and one of the holy men of God, whom the spirit used as an instrument to pen a great part of the Scripture? Yes surely, few were better instructed then he was: yet he found such great blindness of mind, and deceitfulness of heart still, when he came to matters of practise, that he never ceaseth crying for more understanding of heavenly things. As also the wise man exhorteth, to call for knowledge, to seek her as silver, 3and to search for her as for treasures. That as covetous men never think they have gold and silver enough: so Christians must never think they have heavenly wisdom enough, 4but still covet more and more after spiritual things.
2 Secondly, hee hath commanded them to grow in grace, §2and in the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ. 1There is no further growth in faith, or in any other grace then there is in knowledge. A man may know more then hee beleeueth; but hee can neuer beleeue more then hee knoweth. True knowledge is as it were the chiefe wheele in a clocke, that draweth all the rest of Gods graces after it: and if that stand still, all the rest must needes stand still with it. And therefore it was, that Dauid praied so often, and so earnestly,