A32047:154
The noble-mans pattern of true and real thankfulness presented in a sermon preached before…The noble-mans patterne of true and reall thankfulnesse presented in a sermon preached before…
The noble-mans pattern of true and real thankfulness presented in a sermon preached before the Right Honourable House of Lords, at their late solemn day of Thanksgiving, June 15, 1643 : for the discovery of a dangerous, desperate and bloody design tending to the utter subversion of the Parliament and of the famous city of London / by Edmund Calamy ...The noble-mans patterne of true and reall thankfulnesse presented in a sermon preached before the Right Honourable House of Lords, at their late solemne day of Thanksgiving, June 15, 1643 : for the discovery of a dangerous, desperate and bloody designe tending to the utter subversion of the Parliament and of the famous city of London / by Edmund Calamy ...
London: printed by G.M. for Christopher Meredith, 1643
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.
There is one argument yet behind, the last, but not the least, and that is from the holy and solemn Covenant you lately have taken to amend your lives. The excellency of a Christian is not so much in taking a Covenant as in keeping of it when taken. And therefore we read of Josiah, 2 Chro. 34. 31, 32. that he did not only make a Covenant to walk after the Lord, and to keep his Commandments with all his heart, &c. but he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. For if that man shall never go to Heaven that will not keep his promises though made to his hurt, how much more shall they be barred from Heaven that break those promises that they have made tending to their eternal good. To break Covenant is not only a brand of a Reprobate, (as you have heard) but it is also a sin that God hath a quarrel against, and a sin for which he will be avenged, according to that Text, Levit. 26. 25. And I will bring a Sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my Covenant. And this is one great reason why the Sword is now drawn in England, and hath sucked so much blood, even to avenge the great breach of Oaths and Covenants, which this Nation is deeply guilty of. Let me make bold further to remind you, that in this Covenant you have also vowed, in order to the preservation of them, to assist the forces raised by the Parliament, according to your power and vocation, and not to assist the forces raised by the King, neither directly nor indirectly. And I doubt not but you will make conscience to satisfy these two clauses, and herein you shall express the reality of ⟨p. 46⟩your thanks for this great deliverance this day celebrated. Now because the speedy, faithful and courageous appearance in this great Cause of defensive Arms, is one of the highest expressions that you can yield to the world of your love to God and his Gospel, and to his service; Give me leave to speak something about it, not only by way of Exhortation, but first by way of Commendation, then Exhortation, then by way of Encouragement, and then I shall conclude.
There is one argument yet behind, the last, but not the least, and that is from the holy and solemn Covenant you lately have taken to amend your lives. The excellency of a Christian is not so much in taking a Covenant as in keeping of it when taken. And therefore we reade of Iosiah,