A20536:961
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.
First for instruction, Use 1 if ever we would speed well when we come to the Sacrament, let us make the Lord our friend, sith the distribution of grace pertaineth to him alone, let us seek it at his hand, and not bring any sin with us which may offend his glorious presence: which if we can do, we may and must expect a blessing from him. It is not the goodness of the Minister that can do it (though it be a good comfort to have a holy mans prayer for us) it is as possible that a man should appoint where the rain shall fall, as where grace shall fall: and though it should be concluded by Parliament, what days it should rain, and in what parts of the land, it were of no force: for God alone hath the ordering of the clouds, and so hath he also of the graces of his Spirit.
First for instruction, Vse 1 if euer we would speed well when we come to the Sacrament, let vs make the Lord our friend, sith the distribution of grace pertaineth to him alone, let vs seeke it at his hand, and not bring any sinne with vs which may offend his glorious presence: which if we can do, we may and must expect a blessing from him. It is not the goodnesse of the Minister that can do it (though it be a good comfort to haue a holy mans praier for vs) it is as possible that a man should appoint where the raine shall fall, as where grace shall fall: and though it should be concluded by Parliament, what daies it should raine, and in what parts of the land, it were of no force: for God alone hath the ordering of the cloudes, and so hath he also of the graces of his Spirit.
Secondly, Use 2 this maketh for the comfort of such as come preparedly unto the table of the Lord, with a true heart, though burdened and wearied with many corruptions. Christ hath prayed that the Sacrament may be effectual unto them, and therefore it shall be so: and he hath praised God for giving it unto his people, and therefore it shall not be in vain: neither their own weakness, nor the meanness of the Elements, nor ⟨p. 71⟩the imperfections of the Minister, shall hinder the powerful working of Gods ordinance.