A44679:78
A funeral sermon for that faithful and laborious servant of Christ Mr. Richard Fairclough…
A funeral sermon for that faithful and laborious servant of Christ Mr. Richard Fairclough (who deceased July 4, 1682 in the sixty first year of his age) by John Howe.
London: printed for John Dunton, 1682
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. See what estimate we are to make of the nature of God, especially of his large, munificent goodness (which is his nature, God is love:) For consider the various emanations and discoveries of it, which may here be taken notice of.
6. See what estimate we are to make of the nature of God, especially of his large, munisicent goodness (which is his nature, God is love:) For consider the various emanations and discoveries of it, which may here be taken notice of.
1. That he should seek to have any for servants (which the text supposeth that he doth) in this world of ours: A world of Apostate, Degenerous, Impure, Impotent creatures, disaffected to him and his Government, hating him, and (as in themselves they are) hateful to him. He who hath so little need of servants for any real use! who can do all things with a word! And if he thought it fit to have them for state, and as a thing becoming his majesty and greatness, is attended, above, by so excellent God-like Creatures! So suitable, and obsequious! So powerful and agile! Those ministers of his that do his pleasure, hearkening to the voice of his word. A World of ministering Spirits that might be used for purposes less kind to us than they are! That he ⟨p. 33⟩should seek Servants among us! (for his having them implies it, who ever served him unsought unto?) invite men into his service with so importunate solicitation! whom he might despise for their vileness, and destroy for their rebellion, which he can in a moment! And that he should seek such to become his Servants, not with indifferency, but with so great earnestness! and use afterwards so various endeavours to retain them in his service! When they gradually decline, that he so graciously upholds them; when ready to break faith with him, and quit his service, that by so apt methods he confirms them; when they actually wander and turn Vagabonds, that he should be so intent to reduce them! How admirable is all this! View the whole case at once. They neglect his first Invitations, he repeats and inculcates them; They faint, he encourages and supports them; They revolt, he follows to bring them back: The cause of our admiration still rises higher and higher. How much is it, in this last instance