A31961:578
An Exact collection of farewell sermons preached by the late London-ministers viz. Mr. Calamy,…An Exact collection of farewel sermons preached by the late London-ministers viz. Mr. Calamy,…
An Exact collection of farewell sermons preached by the late London-ministers viz. Mr. Calamy, Mr. Watson, Mr. Jacomb, Mr. Case, Mr. Sclater, Mr. Baxter, Mr. Jenkin, Dr. Manton, Mr. Lye, Mr. Collins : to which is added their prayers before and after sermon as also Mr. Calamy's sermon for which he was imprisoned in Newgate : his sermon at Mr. Ashe's funeral and Dr. Horton's and Mr. Nalton's funeral.An Exact collection of farewel sermons preached by the late London-ministers viz. Mr. Calamy, Mr. Watson, Mr. Jacomb, Mr. Case, Mr. Sclater, Mr. Baxter, Mr. Jenkin, Dr. Manton, Mr. Lye, Mr. Collins : to which is added their prayers before and after sermon as also Mr. Calamy's sermon for which he was imprisoned in Newgate : his sermon at Mr. Ashe's funeral and Dr. Horton's and Mr. Nalton's funeral.
London : s.n., 1662
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
2. I would note the excellency of holiness, and Religion, and godliness above all worldly excellencies whatsoever. If a man be in reproaches and persecutions, he is ⟨p. 270⟩never the better for all his worldly endowments, these all leave him, but now holiness, the excellency of it lies in this, that it draws forth an admiration for its excellency notwithstanding all opposition. Set a giant in a valley, he is a giant still; a pearl is a pearl though on a dunghill; and a holy man is a holy man, though never so much disgraced and contemned by men. But now let a wicked man be never so high and honourable, this man is a base man in the account of God, and in the sight of Gods people. Dan. 11. 21. It is said of Antiochus Epiphanes, who was accounted the admired great prince of his time, yet he is called a vile person. And that John the Baptist who had a jeathern girdle, and locusts and wild honey was his food, yet Christ saith of him he was the honourablest man born of women; and on the other side, when Herod was cried up, the voice of God and not of man, what was he in the account of God and the Spirit, why he is struck dead, and made meat for worms. There is a silent Majesty and dignity in reproached piety, when there is a silent ignominy and baseness in advanced wickedness; a poor minister of Jesus Christ when he is cast out by the world, and thinks he shall be counted the scum of the world, yet let him not be troubled; as it was with Christ, it is with the servants of Christ, the Lord Jesus when he was here upon earth, no man under so much ignominy, and reproach, and persecution, yet all this while Jesus Christ had a secret glory that shined through all these ignominies and disgraces, you read he was laid in a manger; but then he was worshipped, sometimes you shall read he had no money, but yet then he could command that a fish should be caught, and he could have money, sometimes a weary, and yet at that very time converts a woman. Look through the whole course of his life, there was a secret glory under all his ignominy, when he was brought before his enemies, yet then they fell down before ⟨p. 271⟩him; take heed of dishonouring God. Thus it is with the people of God, they are in distress and poverty, but there is a secret dignity that beams forth; as the Apostle saith, the Spirit of God and glory rest upon you; If you be persecuted for righteousness sake blessed are you;