A20536:497
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.
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.
Many are afraid to aduenture vpon the worke of repentance, lest they should bee driuen thereby to desperation: but let vs neuer feare that, though our vncleannesse be neuer so great; though wee bee stained and died from top to toe, within and without, in euery part and power of soule and body, by reason of our originall corruption, and actuall transgressions, so that all the men in the world cannot take away the foule spots and horrible staines of sinne that cleaue vnto vs, and are settled in vs: yet the Lord of heauen, who hath all sufficiencie of power in his hand, can and will (without any difficultie) purge vs from euery one of our iniquities, by sprinkling on our hearts the precious blood of his owne sonne, which is as it were a souereigne Bath, ordained for the cleansing of the soules of his elect from that contagious leprosie of sinne, wherewith they are wholly ouer-spread. And therefore let none bee discomforted in regard of his many and greeuous offenses, seeing that the Lord hath entred into a sure couenant with vs, for the pardoning and healing of them all; who can as easily cure the most deadly wound, as the smallest scarre: and the harder the cure is, the more hee shall bee glorified, in shewing foorth the riches of his mercie towards poore sinners that stand in need thereof. Our greatest extremitie, is Gods fittest oportunity.