A31997:250
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 3: THE Excellency and Usefulness OF THE WORD. SERMON III.
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.
I knew a young maid that went triumphantly to Heaven, by the refreshing she found in that well known Text, Matth. 11. 28. and many that have been wonderfully cheered by reading the eight Chapter of the Romans, and by that Text, 1 Joh. 3. 14. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the Brethren. The truth is, there is no promise, but if God be pleased to enlighten it, and show us our interest in it, will afford a Harvest of joy. It is with Promises, as it is with Sermons: That Sermon which once heard, did not at all work upon us, the same Sermon heard at another time may exceedingly affect us. And the same Text of Scripture, which sometimes doth not at all comfort us, may at another time convey much comfort to us. Two men troubled in conscience ⟨p. 109⟩may both of them read the same chapter, and hear the same Sermon, and one of them may have his troubled mind pacified, and the other continue troubled, and the reason is, because the Spirit of God makes the Word effectual to one, and not to the other. How often hath a distressed Saint, read Mat. 11. 28. 1 Tim. 1. 15. Joh. 10. 27, 28. Isa. 26. 3. Isa. 57, 15. 1 Joh. 3. 14. and found no comfort in reading of them; But if the Spirit of God did come in, and open his eyes to behold the rich mercies wrapped up in these promises, and his interest in them, they would fill him with comfort above expression. And therefore if ever you would make the Word of God, Gods instrument to convey support and comfort to you in the time of soul-sinking afflictions, you must study the promises, and pray unto God that his Spirit may irradiate them, and show you the fullness of them, and your interest in them.