A34165:1155
A Complete collection of farewell sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl…A Compleat collection of farewel sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl…
A Complete collection of farewell sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl ... [et al.] ; together with Mr. Ash his funeral sermon, Mr. Nalton's funeral sermon, Mr. Lye's rehearsal ... with their several prayers.A Compleat collection of farewel sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl ... [et al.] ; together with Mr. Ash his funeral sermon, Mr. Nalton's funeral sermon, Mr. Lye's rehearsal ... with their several prayers.
London : s.n., 1663
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Mr. Collins his Farewell-Sermon.Mr. Collins his Farewel-Sermon.
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.
A second Rule I observe men would set up to betray poor souls from the faith once delivered to them, is Ancient Custom: (our Fathers worshipped in this Mountain.) When they would hold forth that which the Scripture is short in, they will send us to such and such customs, of so many hundred years standing. It is to be bewailed that the date, the standing of false Doctrines, and false Worships, is so ancient; for though at first they were but Innovations, yet to succeeding Generations they become old: And 'tis a very great truth, That what is the most ancient, is the most true; and therefore there lies a great snare in this. Therefore when Antiquity is pretended, if you find not their hoary heads in the way of Righteousness, there is little reason for you to reverence them, or comply with them, no more than there was reason so suddenly to be taken with the Gibeonites mouldy bread and clouted shoes: When matters of Antiquity are pretended, say as Ignatius, Jesus Christus est mea Antiquitas, Jesus Christ is my Antiquity; so say, Truth is my Antiquity: for though an opinion hath been practised a thousand years, yet men may have the Word of Truth in their hearts that is ancienter than all.
A third Rule that men would set up, is, The general course of the World, or Place, the generality of those where they live: This was that the Popish Party did often mention to the witnesses of Jesus Christ; What! will you be wiser than others? Can't you do as others do? must you be singular? And this is a taking Rule for to make you conformable to those things possibly the Word of God will not warrant, if you bring not this custom to the Word of God: 'Tis not what ⟨image 141⟩the most do, but what we may do: 'tis not what the practice of all in general is, but what ought to be the singular care, and strict holiness of Christians in particular, that the Word of God will allow: Christians are not to be conformable to the present World, Rom. 12.1. The Word will tell you, It is no more safe to follow a multitude to do evil, than it will be sweet to be in Hell with a great company: The Word will let you know, the secrets of the Lord are with a very few, and those, them that fear him: as for the whole world, it lies in wickedness: The Word will tell you, The ways of Jesus Christ, and the profession of Jesus Christ, is commonly called a Sect; it is every where spoken against, and men hate it every where: Therefore set up a Rule in your hearts, in your houses, in your meditations, in your practise.