A20536:471
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.
Which is first for the great condemnation of them that do altogether shut up their bowels of compassion from Gods children in their sorrows, Use 1 and temptations, and afflictions. Whosoever hath this worlds good, 1and seeth his brother have need, (saith the Apostle John) and shutteth up his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? This goeth sore against such; in not loving his children, they proclaim unto all the world, that they love not God himself, and therefore are not beloved of him: and if it be so with those that do not make manifest their love by showing mercy; what shall we think of those that are so far from pitying, and relieving the distressed; that they are ready to add affliction to the afflicted. It's just upon you, (say they) your indiscretion and want of wisdom; in that you made more ado then needs, and would be more precise then wise, and more forward then your neighbours, &c. hath brought you to all this woe and misery. This is cruel and unmerciful dealing: if they would do them no good, they should do them no hurt. Yet this was the case of Job and of David in their great calamities and perplexities: and we may read of the lamentable complaints that both of them made in that respect. If it be a mark of a damnable person to withhold mercy from the sorrowful and heavy hearted, then what shall become of them that lay heavy burdens on those that are pressed down too low before? if there shall be judgement without mercy, to them that show no mercy, much more fearful shall their state be that are so full of cruelty towards them whom the Lord so tenderly respecteth?
Which is first for the great condemnation of them that do altogether shut vp their bowels of compassion from Gods children in their sorrowes, Vse 1 and temptations, and afflictions. Whosoeuer hath this worlds good, 1and seeth his brother haue need, (saith the Apostle Iohn) and shutteth vp his compassion from him, how dwelleth the loue of God in him? This goeth sore against such; in not louing his children, they proclaime vnto all the world, that they loue not God himselfe, and therefore are not beloued of him: and if it be so with those that doe not make manifest their loue by shewing mercie; what shall wee thinke of those that are so farre from pitying, and releeuing the distressed; that they are readie to adde affliction to the afflicted. It's iust vpon you, (say they) your indiscretion and want of wisedome; in that you made more ado then needs, and would bee more precise then wise, and more forward then your neighbours, &c. hath brought you to all this woe and miserie. This is cruell and vnmercifull dealing: if they would do them no good, they should do them no hurt. Yet this was the case of Iob and of Dauid in their great calamities and perplexities: and wee may reade of the lamentable complaints that both of them made in that respect. If it be a marke of a damnable person to withold mercie from the sorrowfull and heauie hearted, then what shall become of them that lay heauie burdens on those that are pressed downe too low before? if there shall bee iudgement without mercie, to them that shew no mercie, much more fearefull shall their state bee that are so full of crueltie towards them whom the Lord so tenderly respecteth?