A20536:456
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.
Howsoever such men and women think, and speak hardly of themselves, and are still bewailing their manifold imperfections, and failings in every good exercise, yet the Ministers of God, Note. find, that of all others, they are the worthiest hearers, and practisers, and receivers of the Sacrament. Many count them learned Christians, that have gotten such knowledge, as that they can say much: but they are in truth the best learned, that have obtained grace to do much: according to the exhortation of the Prophet in this place, Learn to do well.
Howsoeuer such men and women thinke, and speake hardlie of themselues, and are still bewailing their manifold imperfections, and failings in euery good exercise, yet the Ministers of God, Note. finde, that of all others, they are the worthiest hearers, and practisers, and receiuers of the Sacrament. Manie count them learned Christians, that haue gotten such knowledge, as that they can say much: but they are in truth the best learned, that haue obtained grace to doe much: according to the exhortation of the Prophet in this place, Learne to doe well.
[Seek judgement.] Now because men will very easily shift off general precepts, he contenteth not himself with the former exhortation, but as he had bidden them to do well, so here he cometh to particulars, and showeth them wherein their chief and special care and endeavour should be to do well, Seek judgement, &c. He had before charged them, that their hands were full of blood: and that their great men, and men of authority were notable oppressors and spoilers of their brethren, and neighbours that were meaner then themselves: following after rewards, and not judging the fatherless and the widow, nor suffering them to have equity according to the goodness of their cause: but rather abusing their authority to the hurt of the good, and to the maintenance of the bad, in their lewd and sinful practises. If honest men had never so good a cause, and never so good a conscience, yet if they brought them no bribes, they were likely to go by the worst: and if sinful and wretched persons had never so ill a cause, yet if they presented them with great gifts, they should carry it from all others. Now the Prophets purpose being to bring these men to repentance, he saith, Seek judgement, that is, Search diligently, what ought to be done according to your places; and when you know it, see that that you practise it. Whence ariseth this point: that,