A31997:61
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
Dedication: TO Those of Aldermanbury-Parish, Together, With all others who attend constantly upon t…
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.
6 It is to walk contrary to the practise of most (if not all) of the Churches of Christ in the Christian world.
To prevent this Sacrament-profanation; there are some Ministers, wh• wholly surcease from administering it. This I allow not, unless in case of absolute necessity. For this is (as it were) to suspend the whole Congregation, and to deny Children their bread, for fear of giving it to Dogs. The best way is to follow the advice which our Lord Jesus Christ gives, Matth. 18. 15, 16, 17. where he propounds Rules and Directions for the removing of scandals out of the Church. If thy Brother shall trespass against thee (saith Christ) go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. He doth not say, Go, and separate presently (For this is to rend the Church, ⟨image 18⟩not to heal it; This is to hinder thy Brother from Christ, rather than to gain him to Christ. He doth not say, Go and tell others (for this is to backbite thy Brother. This is to reproach him, rather than to reprove him) But he saith, Go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone; if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy Brother: But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, &c. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the Church (that is, to such who are empowered by Christ to redress offences) but if he neglect to hear the Church, let him, &c. Hence learn,
To prevent this Sacrament-prophanation; there are some Ministers, wh• wholly surcease from administring it. This I allow not, unless in case of absolute necessity. For this is (as it were) to suspend the whole Congregation, and to deny Children their bread, for fear of giving it to Dogs. The best way is to follow the advice which our Lord Jesus Christ gives, Matth. 18. 15, 16, 17. where hee propounds Rules and Directions for the removing of scandals out of the Church. If thy Brother shall trespass against thee (saith Christ) go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. Hee doth not say, Go, and separate presently (For this is to rend the Church,