A20536:781
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.
Thirdly, this is another misery of hypocrites, 1that they live in continual fear and danger: there are holes in their masks, (at least their will be) and their double dealing shall be seen into, it shall sometime or other come to light, how they have abused Gods presence, and dissembled with their brethren, by making fair shows, and pretences of that which they never meant: their sins shall not always lie hid, but either they will give over all, in time of persecution, as the stony ground did; or in hope of promotion, as Judas, & Ahithophel did, 2& so discover their false-heartednes: or else it shall be drawn forth by their speeches, in their merriments, or in their distempers; or else Gods spirit in godly men, shall destroy it, by working in their hearts, a vehement suspicion of them, and causing them with a judicious eye, more narrowly to pry into their works, and ways. By one such means or other, God will lay them open to the view of the world: so that being in such peril, they cannot but have a fearful heart, and a restless conscience. And to this purpose, notable is that saying of Solomon: He that walketh uprightly, walketh boldly or surely, but he that perverteth his ways shall be known. Whence it is apparent, that the upright man needeth not to fear any thing, he needeth not to be afraid of ill men: for though they may disgrace him, they cannot shame him: he needeth not to be afraid of good men: for the oftener he speaketh to them, and converseth with them, the more he is approved by them: neither needeth he to be afraid of God, for he that searcheth the heart and the reins, knoweth and alloweth of the integrity of their souls. They have no cause of fear for the present, because all things go well with them: neither is there any for afterwards, because all things shall go well with them, for they shall never fall away from God: None can pluck them out of his hand, 3Satan cannot, because he that is in us, is stronger then he that is in the world: sin cannot, because grace will prevail against it: the world cannot, because this is our victory, 4whereby we overcome the world, even our faith.