A20536:865
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.
Therefore seeing it cannot be attained unto without diligence, Christs counsel is to use all careful endeavour to get it. So likewise Solomon adviseth us to seek for understanding as for silver, and to search for it as for treasures. So that it is Gods ordinance that men should labour for it, if they would have it. Earthly things will not be had but by labour and toil, much less these things which are of greater value. And whereas men may set others awork for the obtaining of outward matters, they themselves may be at home in their houses, and others labouring for them abroad: it is otherwise in the matters of Grace, a man must travel for it in his own person, if ever he intend to get it: he himself must pray, hear the Word, understand it, apply it and make use of it: the greatest Monarch•n the world, must perform these and the like duties, and not bid his servants do these things for him. And to encourage us ⟨p. 45⟩the rather to set upon this work, Reasons. 1 the Lord hath promised us certain success, as in that former place of the Proverbs: If thou seekest her as silver &c. then shalt thou find the knowledge of God. Others may take a great deal of pains, & yet not speed well: 1they may rise early, & go to bed late, & eat the bread of carefulness, hoping to be rich, & yet be still poor: men may labour to be applauded of all, & yet be derided of all: seek to have all crouch unto them, and yet have all to list up themselves against them: study and beat their heads how to live a pleasant life, and yet none be more vexed and tormented then they: but those that spend their pains in seeking of Grace, shall never lose their labour, nor miss of their mark, but always obtain that which they do desire. §2And when once they have possession of it, it will abide with them: they cannot lose it though they would; it is so durable and permanent, that it will never decay: and so united and ingrafted into the nature of the parties, that it can by no possible means be wholly taken away: nay nor cast away. And therefore as in other things, so in this, the continuance of it, addeth greatly unto the worth of it. To have a lease is better than to be a tenant at will: a•se simple is more desirable then a lease: