A20536:770
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.
To be excellent is much, to be most excellent is far more: to be far most excellent, is yet an higher degree: but when he calleth it a far most excellent, and withal an eternal weight of glory, it maketh a great addition unto all the former, and showeth that it is indeed, an inconceivable & unutterable happiness that in the heaven we shall enjoy: but one the other side, he counteth his affliction light and momentany, because it passeth ⟨p. 13⟩as it were in a thought, and is a thing of nothing, being laid in the balance against the never-fading bliss, that we shall shortly come unto. And as for that weight that is in the tributions of this life, it is but as an heavy bag of gold, that will make the heart of the owner light, in the very carriage of it, and so much the more light, by how much weightier it is. And therefore by all these motives, we should persuade, yea even compel our souls unto patience under the cross of Christ, and to perseverance in the practise of all the duties of godliness: a pattern of which patience we have in the Hebrews, Who after the had received the light, endured a great fight in afflictions. 1Partly (saith the Apostle) while ye were made a gazing stock, both by reproaches, and afflictions: and partly while ye became companions unto them, which were so tossed to and fro. For both ye sorrowed with me, for my bonds, and suffered with joy the spoiling of your goods. And why? knowing in your selves that you have in heaven, a better and more enduring substance. If their riches had been of such value, as they made show of, & as the world takes them for, they could not have been so quickly taken from them: but sith they had betaken them to their wings, these faithful ones knew, that heaven, which was reserved for them in stead thereof, was far more excellent, and more durable, and therefore full glad were they, that for the cause of God, they had made so happy and so blessed an exchange.
To be excellent is much, to be most excellent is farre more: to be far most excellent, is yet an higher degree: but when he calleth it a farre most excellent, and withal an eternall weight of glory, it maketh a great addition vnto all the former, and sheweth that it is inded, an inconceiueable & vnutterable happines that in the heauen wee shal enioy: but one the other side, hee counteth his affliction light and momentany, because it passeth