A57143:105
Israels prayer in time of trouble with Gods gracious answer thereunto, or, An explication…
Israels prayer in time of trouble with Gods gracious answer thereunto, or, An explication of the 14th chapter of the Prophet Hosea in seven sermons preached upon so many days of solemn humiliation / by Edward Reynolds ...
London: printed by Thomas Newcomb for Robert Bostock, 1649
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Sermon 1: The First SERMON UPON HOSEA, Chap. 14. Vers. 1, 2.
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.
First, that every one of you would seriously endeavour to take away all iniquity from his own person. And unto this there lieth upon you a double Obligation; one with relation to the safety of your own souls, for whatever other honour, wealth, wisdom, learning, interest a man hath besides, if sin have the predominancy, they are but Satan's Magazine, and that man his servant to employ them against God that gave them: and the more mercies any man hath been trusted withal, the heavier judgement will be poured out upon the breach of that trust: Better be a wooden vessel to hold Wine, then a silver vessel to hold Excrements; better be a Beggar with the treasure of Gods grace, then a Prince with the load of a mans own sins.
First, that every one of you would seriously endeavour to take away all iniquity from his own person. And unto this there lyeth upon you a double Obligation; one with relation to the safety of your own souls, for whatever other honour, wealth, wisedome, learning, interest a man hath besides, if sin have the predominancy, they are but Satans Magazine, and that man his servant to imploy them against God that gave them: and the more mercies any man hath been trusted withal, the heavier judgement will be poured out upon the breach of that trust: Better be a wooden vessell to hold Wine, then a silver vessell to hold Excrements; better be a Beggar with the treasure of Gods grace, then a Prince with the load of a mans own sins.
But there is a further tie upon you, with relation unto the success of that Honourable employment whereunto you are called. Ita nati estis, 1ut b•na malaque vestra ad Rempub. pertineant. God will be sanctified in all those that draw near unto him, as well in civill, as in sacred Administrations. It is very hard for a person in whom sin rules, to be constantly faithful to any public and honourable service. For Grace only establisheth the heart, Hebr. 13.9. Ahithophel, a man of great wisdom falls from David: ⟨p. 38⟩