A20536:670
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.
Having thus showed what the messengers did, our Saviour next declareth what the King himself did; the place being filled with guests, 1[he came to see the guests,] implying, that when men begin to make profession, God useth a more diligent search and examination then his ministers can do: for they can but judge of men by their actions, but the Lord dealeth immediately with their hearts and consciences. And therefore it is added, that when he came in, he saw (that which the Ministers did not) [a man which had not on a wedding garment] where we must not conceive that their was but one such present (for it is afterwards said, that many are called, but few are chosen, vers. 14.) but this is the meaning, that if there be but one hypocrite amongst many thousands God will find him out, and single him from among the rest.
Hauing thus shewed what the messengers did, our Sauiour next declareth what the King himselfe did; the place being filled with guests, 1[hee came to see the guests,] implying, that when men begin to make profession, God vseth a more deligent search and examination then his ministers can doe: for they can but iudge of men by their actions, but the Lord dealeth immediatly with their hearts and consciences. And therefore it is added, that when he came in, hee saw (that which the Ministers did not) [a man which had not on a wedding garment] where wee must not conceiue that their was but one such present (for it is afterwards said, that many are called, but few are chosen, vers. 14.) but this is the meaning, that if there be but one hypocrite amongst many thousands God will finde him out, and single him from among the rest.
- 1The interpretation.
The party being thus taken, the Lord falleth to an examination of him, [Friend (saith he) how camest thou in hither?] that is, how darest thou come to the royal table of so glorious a King [and hast not one a wedding garment?] that is having no repentance for sin; no freedom from the guilt, or from the power of sin; nor any saving grace at all: how is it (I say) that thou shouldest presume to come into such a place and into such a presence, having made no better preparation?