A47613:323
A summons to the grave, or, The necessity of a timely preparation for death…
A summons to the grave, or, The necessity of a timely preparation for death demonstrated in a sermon preached at the funeral of that most eminent and faithful servant of Jesus Christ Mr. John Norcot who departed this life March 24, 1675/6 / by Benjamin Keach.
London: printed for Ben Harris, 1676
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
3. By their holy and exemplary conversations. Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom and should have been like unto Gomorrah, Isa. 1. 9.
10. Ground of Lamentation, is because sin usually is the cause why God removes his faithful Ambassadors. He sends to treat with sinners about the concerns of their souls. I wish this stroke be not in judgement to some of your souls. The ⟨p. 55⟩Message they bring is often slighted, and thereby sinners slight and reject the King himself. They cry and lift up their voice like a trumpet, fore-warning of danger; but none lays it to heart. They spend their strength and weaken their bodies for the good of sinners souls; but sinners slight it▪ Nay, if they should sweat drops of blood it would not do, it would not work in them remorse of Conscience and repentance unto life. Well, saith God, now I'll wait upon thee no more, him that you despised and contemned, or neglected to hear, or whose counsel you did not regard, you shall hear no more. The taking […] of faithful Preachers is one of the greatest judgement that can come upon sinners. But alas, it may not only be for the sins of the ungodly world ••on unconverted sinners, but a punishment upon Professors and Church Members▪ for their inquiry; they may not prize ⟨p. 56⟩the mercy nor walk worthy of the blessing. They may not carry it as they ought to do to the Labourer that is amongst them: They may grieve and wound his heart by their disorderly walking; and God may from hence be provoked to take him a way. Nay they may on the other hand overvalue him, they may idolize their Teachers and look upon them above what is meet; though sinful, yet 'tis possible to eye man more than God by man. God may remove them. Upon this account the Apostle speaks of some that had mens persons in admiration. I am satisfied there is too great extremes in the world. We should have a care we do not receive the Truth for the sake of a man, or to please men, because such and such says it; but out of Love to Jesus Christ, and because God hath commanded it. Beloved, it may not be amiss to lay these things to heart, 'tis good to hear