A31961:856
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.
1. The notion that a Christian hath of indifferency of things, that they are but toys and trifles, that they may be done or not done. It is not my work to tell you what is indifferent, or name any thing in particular. As I remember, in the Book of Martyrs the usual argument was, Why cannot you worship the Idol? why cannot you bow down as well as others? it's a small matter: cannot you show your outward reverence, and keep your heart to your self? Indeed if there were any thing that's indifferent, a Christian hath a marvellous latitude in point of Doctrine, in point of Worship: I would caution you therefore. The term of indifferent, I suppose 'tis devised as a pillar to rest the conscience on, which otherwise would startle, and look with a broad face upon them: Things that come under this notion, had need well to be weighed and considered: If they tell you plainly they came out of Rome, and had the plague of Popery upon them, they •ame from Hell, were hatched there, and the curse of God is upon them; no body would entertain them. They must pretend they came from the Church, from the Apostles, descended from the Scriptures; and hence they are entertained with that freedom and willingness, as that most Christians take no notice, but fall down under them; and so the very power and life of Religion and holy practise is eaten out. The Devil hath three ways whereby he makes men seek after him. 1. Commonly he doth cover holiness with other names▪ 2ly. He persuades that sins are but little. 3ly. That they may repent hereafter. ⟨p. 386⟩The first is suitable to my purpose, That virtue or grace is covered with other names: therefore if a man be holy, he is called precise; if zealous, he is said to be rash; and if it be really a sin, it shall come under the name of indifferency, a toy, a trifle, and things of that nature: therefore you had need be cautious; for 'tis no matter what name the sin is, what title it goes under, as what it is really. As to things of Doctrine and Worship, I know there is no medium; every man must give an account to the Lord of what he does, therefore I do not tell you what is indifferent, and what not; but search the Scripture, take heed what you receive for indifferent.
1. The notion that a Christian hath of indifferency of things, that they are but toyes and trifles, that they may be done or not done. It is not my work to tell you what is indifferent, or name any thing in particular. As I remember, in the Book of Martyrs the usual argument was, Why cannot you worship the Idol? why cannot you bow down as well as others? it's a small matter: cannot you shew your outward reverence, and keep your heart to your self? Indeed if there were any thing that's indifferent, a Christian hath a marvellous latitude in point of Doctrine, in point of Worship: I would caution you therefore. The term of indifferent, I suppose 'tis devised as a pillar to rest the conscience on, which otherwise would startle, and look with a broad face upon them: Things that come under this notion, had need well to be weighed and considered: If they tell you plainly they came out of Rome, and had the plague of Popery upon them, they ame from Hell, were hatched there, and the curse of God is upon them; no body would entertain them. They must pretend they came from the Church, from the Apostles, descended from the Scriptures; and hence they are entertained with that freedome and willingness, as that most Christians take no notice, but fall down under them; and so the very power and life of Religion and holy practise is eaten out. The Devil hath three waies whereby he makes men seek after him. 1. Commonly he doth cover holiness with other names 2ly. He perswades that sins are but little. 3ly. That they may repent hereafter.