A31997:109
The Godly mans ark, or, City of refuge, in the day of his distress…The Godly mans ark, or, City of refuge, in the day of his distresse…
The Godly mans ark, or, City of refuge, in the day of his distress discovered in divers sermons, the first of which was preached at the funeral of Mistress Elizabeth Moore : the other four were afterwards preached, and are all of them now made public, for the supportation and consolation of the saints of God in the hour of tribulation : hereunto are annexed Mris. [sic] Moors evidences for heaven, composed and collected by her in the time of her health, for her comfort in the time of sickness / by Ed. Calamy ...The Godly mans ark, or, City of refuge, in the day of his distresse discovered in divers sermons, the first of which was preached at the funerall of Mistresse Elizabeth Moore : the other four were afterwards preached, and are all of them now made publick, for the supportation and consolation of the saints of God in the hour of tribulation : hereunto are annexed Mris. [sic] Moores evidences for heaven, composed and collected by her in the time of her health, for her comfort in the time of sickness / by Ed. Calamy ...
London: printed for John Hancock, 1658
Sermon 1: The Godly mans Ark; OR, City of Refuge in the day of his Distresses. SERMON I.
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.
5 Gods design in afflicting his children, is to prove, and improve their graces.
1 To prove their graces, Rev. 2. 10. Deut. 8. 2. to prove the truth, and the strength of them. 1 The truth and sincerity of their graces; For this cause he loaded Job with afflictions, to try whether he served God for his Camels ⟨p. 19⟩and Oxen, or for love to God. As Solomons sword tried the true Mother from the false; So the sword of affliction discovers the sincere Christian from the hypocrite. Distresses are divine touchstones, to try whether we be true or counterfeit Saints; That grace is true, which upon trial is found true. 2 To try the strength of our graces. For it requires a strong faith to endure great afflictions. That Faith which will suffice for a little affliction, will not suffice for a great one. Peter had faith enough to come to Christ upon the Sea, but as soon as the storm began to arise, his Faith began to fail, and Christ said, Why art thou afraid, O thou of little Faith? Mat. 14. 30, 31. It must be a strong Faith that must keep us from sinking in the day of great Distress.
1 To prove their graces, Rev. 2. 10. Deut. 8. 2. to prove the truth, and the strength of them. 1 The truth and sincerity of their graces; For this cause he loaded Iob with afflictions, to try whether hee served God for his Camels ⟨p. 19⟩and Oxen, or for love to God. As Solomons sword tried the true Mother from the false; So the sword of affliction discovers the sincere Christian from the hypocrite. Distresses are divine touchstones, to try whether we be true or counterfeit Saints; That grace is true, which upon tryal is found true. 2 To try the strength of our graces. For it requires a strong faith to indure great afflictions. That Faith which will suffice for a little affliction, will not suffice for a great one. Peter had faith enough to come to Christ upon the Sea, but assoon as the storm began to arise, his Faith began to fail, and Christ said, Why art thou afraid, O thou of little Faith?