A20536:481
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.
And as this is true in general for the profession of Christianity, so is it as true in all particular duties; as to give instance in some: those that have to deal in matters of strife and contention, for the most part, are possest with this conceit, that if they should not answer like for like, and return one disgraceful speech for another, and requite one injurious action with another, every one would in a short time grow bold with them, and be ready to wrong and abuse them. But where doth God say so? Nay the very truth is, that when they seek by such means to right themselves, and by such shield, Note. to defend themselves, and to repel their adversaries, whereas they had men only against them before, now they have three for one against them: to wit, God and men and their own consciences: whereas if they would follow Christ his rule, 1to bless those that curse them, and to do good to those that hate them, and to pray for those that hurt and persecute them, and so overcome evil with goodness, they should certainly have the Lord, and their own consciences on their side, and it may be also make their foes to become their friends by that means. 2For the wisdom of God telleth us, that this is the way to heap coals of fire upon their heads: which shall either melt them, and turn their affection to us: or burn them, and leave them more inexcusable before God, and their own consciences, and so hasten his judgements upon them. If men can be patient, and content to sit down by wrongs offered, God will stand for them, and revenge the quarrel of the meek; and that which men think will be the ready way to draw infinite troubles upon their own heads, and utterly ⟨p. 77⟩to undo them, we shall find to be the directest path that leadeth unto peace, and quietness, and that course which will indeed make us for ever. 3For (as our Saviour promiseth) the meek shall inherit the earth.
And as this is true in generall for the profession of Christianitie, so is it as true in all particular duties; as to giue instance in some: those that haue to deale in matters of strife and contention, for the most part, are possest with this conceit, that if they should not answer like for like, and returne one disgracefull speech for another, and requite one iniurious action with another, euerie one would in a short time grow bold with them, and be ready to wrong and abuse them. But where doth God say so? Nay the very truth is, that when they seeke by such meanes to right themselues, and by such shield, Note. to defend themselues, and to repell their aduersaries, whereas they had men onely against them before, now they haue three for one against them: to wit, God and men and their owne consciences: whereas if they would follow Christ his rule,