A20536:960
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, §3the Lord will have the virtue of the Sacrament to be in his own power, to bestow where & how he will, that there might be a difference between Communicants, to wit, between the good and the bad. If it were in mens hands to dispose, and did consist in the deed done, as ignorant Papists imagine, men would bestow it promiscuously, and wicked hypocrites should have as good a share as those that are truly religious, and the worst speed as well as the best: for men cannot search the hearts of their people, to see with what preparation they come: and there is that love in them (which is a ⟨p. 70⟩thing commendable) that they desire all might be saved. If Moses could have given every man in Israel grace when he gave them the Manna, he would have done it: he that could have been content, that his name should be razed out of the book of life for their sakes, would not have stuck with them for such a matter. If Abraham could have circumcised Ishmaels heart, when he circumcised his flesh, he should not have been excommunicated for his profaneness: but God hath always heretofore, and doth still keep this power in his own hand, that so he may enrich with grace those whom he thinketh fittest, and deal with every one as he knoweth their hearts. 1Moses was the Minister of Baptism, to those that passed through the red sea, yet with many of them God was not pleased: for only those that are good in his sight shall taste of his good gifts. And therefore Christ prayeth not for the world, but only for those which he hath chosen out of the world, 2& such as shall believe through the preaching of the Gospel, that they may be partakers of the benefit of his ordinances.
Thirdly, §3the Lord wil haue the vertue of the Sacrament to be in his owne power, to bestow where & how he will, that there might be a difference betweene Communicants, to wit, betweene the good and the bad. If it were in mens hands to dispose, and did consist in the deede done, as ignorant Papists imagine, men would bestow it promiscuously, and wicked hypocrites should haue as good a share as those that are truly religious, and the worst speed as well as the best: for men cannot search the hearts of their people, to see with what prepararation they come: and there is that loue in them (which is a