A20536:476
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 devil will have much to say against goodness; and our own fleshly wisdom will have as much: and the world will be as great a pull-back unto us, if we will give it the hearing: but if we can lend an attentive ear unto the Lord, we shall find that he will bring better arguments to persuade us to goodness, then all those our enemies can, to dissuade us from it. And therefore it is that men are so often, and so grossly deceived, because they hear what the one side can say to discourage and hinder them: but not what the other can say, to hearten and draw them onward in good ways. For if they did bring a spiritual ear to receive the proofs that are brought from the word, they would be more forcible to bring them to God, then all other means could be to allure them to forsake God, and to embrace this present world. Therefore when the Lord would have men to practise any duty, or to forbear any sin, we see what strong reasons he bringeth for that purpose: as is evident (together with innumerable other places) in the second and in the fourth commandment. And thence it is, that men do so commonly and so wretchedly transgress those commandments, because they do not well weigh the Lords reasons to the contrary: for if they did, they would never incline so much to superstition, and Idolatry: nor ever so give themselves to the profaning of the Lords day, but know that it is far better to procure Gods blessing by keeping it, then his curse and vengeance by the violating of it.
The diuell will haue much to say against goodnesse; and our owne fleshlie wisdome will haue as much: and the world will bee as great a pull-backe vnto vs, if wee will giue it the hearing: but if wee can lend an attentiue eare vnto the Lord, wee shall finde that he will bring better arguments to perswade vs to goodnesse, then all those our enemies can, to diswade vs from it. And therefore it is that men are so often, and so groslie deceiued, because they heare what the one side can say to discourage and hinder them: but not what the other can say, to hearten and draw them onward in good waies. For if they did bring a spirituall eare to receiue the proofes that are brought from the word, they would bee mroe forcible to bring them to God, then all other meanes could bee to allure them to forsake God, and to embrace this present world. Therefore when the Lord would haue men to practise any dutie, or to forbeare any sinne, wee see what strong reasons he bringeth for that purpose: as is euident (together with innumerable other places) in the second and in the fourth commandement. And thence it is, that men doe so commonly and so wretchedly transgresse those commandements, because they doe not well weigh the Lords reasons to the contrarie: for if they did, they would neuer incline so much to superstition, and Idolatrie: nor euer so giue themselues to the prophaning of the Lords day, but know that it is farre better to procure Gods blessing by keeping it, then his curse and vengeance by the violating of it.