A20536:496
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.
Secondly, Use 2 here is matter of great comfort unto those that that do in good earnest set upon this work of cleansing and purging themselves: they shall not be destitute of company to join with them: for God himself will assist them, and enable ⟨p. 95⟩them to go through with that work: and therefore this should encourage us unto the exercises of humiliation, and of examination and judging of our selves: for are not a few tears well bestowed upon God, when he will thereupon bestow on us the blood of his Son?
Secondly, Vse 2 heere is matter of great comfort vnto those that that doe in good earnest set vpon this worke of cleansing and purging themselues: they shall not be destitute of companie to ioine with them: for God himselfe will assist them, and inable ⟨p. 95⟩thē to go thorow with that worke: and therfore this should incourage vs vnto the exercises of humiliation, and of examination and iudging of our selues: for are not a few teares well bestowed vpon God, when he will thereupon bestow on vs the blood of his sonne?
Many are afraid to adventure upon the work of repentance, lest they should be driven thereby to desperation: but let us never fear that, though our uncleanness be never so great; though we be stained and died from top to toe, within and without, in every part and power of soul and body, by reason of our original corruption, and actual transgressions, so that all the men in the world cannot take away the foul spots and horrible stains of sin that cleave unto us, and are settled in us: yet the Lord of heaven, who hath all sufficiency of power in his hand, can and will (without any difficulty) purge us from every one of our iniquities, by sprinkling on our hearts the precious blood of his own Son, which is as it were a sovereign Bath, ordained for the cleansing of the souls of his elect from that contagious leprosy of sin, wherewith they are wholly over-spread. And therefore let none be discomforted in regard of his many and grievous offences, seeing that the Lord hath entered into a sure covenant with us, for the pardoning and healing of them all; who can as easily cure the most deadly wound, as the smallest scar: and the harder the cure is, the more he shall be glorified, in showing forth the riches of his mercy towards poor sinners that stand in need thereof. Our greatest extremity, is Gods fittest opportunity.