A20536:851
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.
And therefore that must be looked unto, that we satisfy Gods eyes, as well as mens, and to that end search out, and cast forth all the leaven of hypocrisy that is in our hearts: for if we do not find it out, God will: and if we spare our selves, God will not spare us. Well we may delude our own souls, but God is not mocked: outward serving of him, may make the Minister think us upright, & cause our neighbours to esteem us good Christians: but except God approve of our hearts, ⟨p. 39⟩we are never the better, for the good opinion that men conceive of us.
And therefore that must be looked vnto, that we satisfy Gods eyes, as well as mens, and to that end search out, and cast forth all the leauen of hypocrisie that is in our hearts: for if we doe not find it out, God will: and if we spare our selues, God will not spare vs. Well we may delude our owne soules, but God is not mocked: outward seruing of him, may make the Minister thinke vs vpright, & cause our neighbors to esteeme vs good Christians: but except God approue of our hearts, ⟨p. 39⟩we are neuer the better, for the good opinion that men conceiue of vs.
This is for the exceeding comfort of such as are true-hearted, and that in a double respect.
1 In regard of that approbation which the Lord will give us, if he be a witness of our sincerity and faithfulness. Use. 2 1If we come to the Sermon in obedience to Gods ordinance, with a desire to get grace thereby: if we come to the Sacrament, that we may have communion: with our head Christ Jesus, and that the new Testament or covenant of God, may be sealed and con firmed unto us: if we see our weakness, and labour to get strength against it: if we bewail our corruption, and strive to get victory over it: if we perceive the imbecility of our faith, and would have it increased: or want of repentance, and would have it renewed: or defect of love, and would have it augmented, and so come to Gods holy feast with an hungry appetite; we may comfortably partake of his heavenly mysteries: and whatsoever we imagine of our selves, God will reward us according to that integrity which he seeth in us. Well was it for Nathaniel, that his heart was known unto Christ, for otherwise he had lost the praise of his uprightness. And so is it with many Christians: if one should demand of them whether they had faithful hearts or not, the answer of many would be, I hope well, but in truth I dare not say so much: and therefore this is not the least part of their happiness, that god discerneth the truth of their hearts, better than they themselves, do; and whereas there is some deceitfulness in the most sincere and plain heart that is, if there be any endeavour to shake it off, the Lord will certainly pardon and remove the same.