Certain sermons, first preached, and after published at several times, by M. Thomas Gataker…Certaine sermons, first preached, and after published at severall times, by M. Thomas Gataker…
Certain sermons, first preached, and after published at several times, by M. Thomas Gataker B. of D. and pastor at Rotherhith. And now gathered together into one volume: the several texts and titles whereof are set down in the leaf followingCertaine sermons, first preached, and after published at severall times, by M. Thomas Gataker B. of D. and pastor at Rotherhith. And now gathered together into one volume: the severall texts and titles whereof are set downe in the leafe following
Thomas Gataker 1574–1654London: printed by John Haviland and Anne Griffin, 1637London: printed by Iohn Haviland and Anne Griffin, 1637
[8], 347, [1] p. · 173k words · STC 11652b.5 · ESTC S124946
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.
so earnest prayer is to be used for a blessing from God on all such our courses and endeavours either public or private, that he will be pleased with his good Spirit to second and assist his own Ordinances, that therebyr the eyes of our minds may be opened, ands our understandings so enlightened, that we may be able in some due measure to see and discern this estate what it is, and to conceive and apprehend the Mysteries appertaining unto it. Again, because it will little avail us to know it, unless we have our share in it, to be well seen in the Statutes and Ordinances of it, unless we have part in the Immunities and Royalties that are therein to be enjoyed: (It is but a double misery for a man to know what is to be had, if he have it not himself:) Our next endeavour therefore must be (for the effecting whereof alsot the assistance of Gods Spirit is humbly and instantly to be craved) to have that which we have learned, or do learn, out of Gods word, concerning this Royal and blessed estate, to be effectuallyu wrought into us: (and indeed till it be so wrought into us, it isx never truly, soundly, or effectually learned of us:) ⟨p. 23⟩That is, we must strive and labour to have true faith, repentance, and other spiritual graces surelyy settled in our souls; whereby we may both have a right and title to this Kingdom, and be in some good sort and measure also possessed and seized of it. The rather since thatz after this life none shall partake in it, but those only that in some degree or other were possessed of it, while they lived here. As it is with us therefore in regard of worldly possessions: so should it be in regard of this heavenly Inheritance. For worldly possessions, we will get, if we can, a title to them; when we have it, we will be sure that our title be good, and use all means to make it sure: and when we have so done, we are not yet then at rest neither; we cannot be quiet, till we be seized and possessed of it, yea till we be in an absolute, quiet, and peaceable possession, not of some part of it, but of the whole. In like manner should it be with us for this
so earnest prayer is to be used for a blessing from God on all such our courses and endevours either publike or private, that he will be pleased with his good Spirit to second and assist his owne Ordinances, that therebyr the eyes of our mindes may be opened, ands our understandings so illightned, that wee may be able in some due measure to see and discerne this estate what it is, and to conceive and apprehend the Mysteries appertaining unto it. Againe, because it will little availe us to know it, unlesse wee have our share in it, to be well seene in the Statutes and Ordinances of it, unlesse wee have part in the Immunities and Royalties that are therein to be enjoyed: (It is but a double misery for a man to know what is to be had, if he have it not himselfe:) Our next endevour therefore must be (for the effecting whereof alsot the assistance of Gods Spirit is humbly and instantly to be craved) to have that which wee have learned, or doe learne, out of Gods word, concerning this Royall and blessed estate, to be effectuallyu wrought into us: (and indeed till it be so wrought into us, it isx never truly, soundly, or effectually learned of us:) ⟨p. 23⟩That is, wee must strive and labour to have true faith, repentance, and other spirituall graces surelyy setled in our soules; whereby wee may both have a right and title to this Kingdome, and be in some good sort and measure also possessed and seized of it. The rather since thatz after this life none shall partake in it, but those only that in some degree or other were possessed of it, while they lived here. As it is with us therefore in regard of worldly possessions: so should it be in regard of this heavenly Inheritance. For worldly possessions, wee will get, if wee can, a title to them; when wee have it, wee will be sure that our title be good, and use all meanes to make it sure: and when wee have so done, wee are not yet then at rest neither; wee cannot bee quiet, till wee be seized and possessed of it, yea till wee be in an absolute, quiet, and peaceable possession, not of some part of it, but of the whole. In like manner should it be with us for thisa heavenly Inheritance: wee must first labour to get ab right and title unto it: which byc faith must be procured: for it is that alone on our part, that byd Justification and freee Adoption giveth us a title thereunto.
In the next place we must endeavour to get somef good assurance that this our title to it is good: that which must by theg trial of our faith be effected: Forh (to omit, that by seeming titles many oft are deluded) though our title to it be never so good, yet we may not be aware of it, and so miss may we of much comfort, until we have taken some due trial of it. And lastly, we must strive and contend to get our selves more and more possessed of it: which must be donei by thek exercise andl growth of our faith, and other the graces of God in us, and bym a constant usage of all good means whereby the same may ben nourished, ocorroborated, andp increased. Forq the more spiritual grace spreadeth and groweth powerful in us, the more ground get we of our corrupt nature: Andr the more conquest we make of this our inward corruption, the further proceed we in possession of this ours heavenly Inheritance. Now because so long as we live here int an estate of Imperfection, (foru no perfection is to be had, or to be hoped for of us while we are here) we can never fully be acquainted with the Rules and Rights of this Kingdom, or the parts and parcels ⟨p. 24⟩of this Inheritance: For so long as* we know these, aso all other things, but in part, pwe cannot but of some part of them remain ignorant still: Nor can we attain to such a full and plenary assurance of our right to it, but that some doubt and scruple about it will be sometime troubling us: For since that as our other parts, soq our faith also is imperfect; and our notice of it as weak ordinarily, as our faith it self is; and that where faith is so imperfect, there must needs be somer infidelity more or less mixed with it; it can hardly be avoided but that some* wavering should be: especially considering that we have to deal with a most wily Adversary, that is wont oft to be questioning of this our right and title, & by many subtle quirks, and fallacies, and colourable pretences, endeavouring to shake this our assurance: And much less can we attain to any full and absolute, (while buts in part as yet we are sanctified, and butt in hope only glorified;) yea or quiet and peaceable possession of it;u the enemy being & abiding yet within our gates, andx daily working our disturbance:
In the next place wee must endevour to get somef good assurance that this our title to it is good: that which must by theg triall of our faith be effected: Forh (to omit, that by seeming titles many oft are deluded) though our title to it be never so good, yet wee may not be aware of it, and so misse may wee of much comfort, untill wee have taken some due triall of it. And lastly, wee must strive and contend to get our selves more and more possessed of it: which must be donei by thek exercise andl growth of our faith, and other the graces of God in us, and bym a constant usage of all good meanes whereby the same may ben nourished, ocorroborated, andp increased. Forq the more spirituall grace spreadeth and groweth powerfull in us, the more ground get wee of our corrupt nature: Andr the more conquest wee make of this our inward corruption, the further proceed wee in possession of this ours heavenly Inheritance. Now because so long as wee live here int an estate of Imperfection, (foru no perfection is to be had, or to be hoped for of us while wee are here) wee can never fully be acquainted with the Rules and Rights of this Kingdome, or the parts and parcels
For this cause therefore, and in regard hereof, is our Seeking of this Kingdom, not to be practised for a spurt, or taken up for some time, and then to be let fall and laid down again, as if no further need were of it, buty last it must, & continuez so long as this life lasteth. Stilla searching we must be into it, that we mayb grow better acquainted with it: and stillc strengthening our assurance, that we may taked faster hold of it: and still striving toe grow in grace, that we mayf get further possession of it: And a principal part must it be of our daily Prayer, thatg This Kingdom may come; that not only it mayh come into us to take possession of us, but thati we may come at length also to a full fruition of it,k attaining to the lend of our faith, and hope, and sanctification, the eternal msalvation of our souls andn bodies. This is the course that in this discourse you are incited unto; which I doubt not but that you have also made both an happy entrance into, yea and good progress in already: yet if any spur may be found therein, that may help to prick you on (or any of you, or any other that have more need than you) to a more eagero pursuing, putting on, and pressing hard (with the Apostle) to the mark-ward, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus; ⟨p. 25⟩or if any rub may thereby be removed, that either hath been, or hereafter may be cast into your way, either by the World, orp the Prince of it, or any homebred confederate of his, whereby you might be (as the people were byq Amasa's corps) either stayed, or turned aside, or disheartened, or slacked in this your religious course; a plentiful recompense I shall esteem it of my pains therein taken, and I beseech God to that purpose to give his blessing thereupon. I have unto the Sermon annexed a short Catechetical Sum, which may help, though not your selves, being now past such helps, yet your younger ones, that arer not past the breast yet, (for which sort in mine own Family at first I contrived it;) in the enquiry after, and discovery of the way to this Kingdom: wherein from the grounds of sacred Scripture is briefly declared, how at first we weres possessed of it, how we came to bet deprived of it, and by what means we may beu restored again to it: As also it may help to fit and prepare them for the participation of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper.
For this cause therefore, and in regard hereof, is our Seeking of this Kingdome, not to be practised for a spurt, or taken up for some time, and then to be let fall and laid downe againe, as if no further need were of it, buty last it must, & continuez so long as this life lasteth. Stilla searching wee must be into it, that wee mayb grow better acquainted with it: and stillc strengthning our assurance, that we may taked faster hold of it: and still striving toe grow in grace, that wee mayf get further possession of it: And a principall part must it be of our daily Prayer, thatg This Kingdome may come; that not only it mayh come into us to take possession of us, but thati we may come at length also to a full fruition of it,k attaining to the lend of our faith, and hope, and sanctification, the eternall msalvation of our soules andn bodies. This is the course that in this discourse you are encited unto; which I doubt not but that you have also made both an happy entrance into, yea and good progresse in already: yet if any spurre may be found therein, that may helpe to prick you on (or any of you, or any other that have more need than you) to a more eager
hLuk. 17.21. Ut in nos veniat, Ambr. Dion. de Sacr. l. 5. c. 4. Et in nobis maneat, Tertul. ad Marc. l. 4.Luk. 17.21. Vt in nos veniat, Ambr. Dion. de Sacr. l. 5. c. 4. Et in nobis maneat, Tertul. ad Marc. l. 4.
iMatth. 25.34. Ne forte veniat, & nobis non veniat. Multis enim non est obventurum, quod est tamen venturum, Aug. hom. 42.
IT is the wonted manner of Physicians, awhen blood issueth out immoderately one way, to open a vein elsewhere, and so* by revulsion, as they term it, to stay it, by diverting the course and current of it another way:3 The like course doth our Saviour Christ take in this place. For observingb the minds and hearts, the thoughts and cares of most men, to be wholly addicted unto, and carried after the things of this world, he endeavoureth in this place to withdraw them there-from, and so to cure them of this running disease, by diverting and turning the tide and stream of them another way.5 And as the Apostle would have us turn all our worldly grief intoc godly grief, into sorrow for our sins; and our Saviour else-where, all our worldly fear into godly fear, intod fear of offending and displeasing God Almighty; so here he willeth us to turn all our worldly care into godly care, our care for this life,8 and the things of this life, into care for the things of another, of a better life.
IT is the wonted manner of Physitians, awhen bloud issueth out immoderatly one way, to open a veine elsewhere, and so* by revulsion, as they terme it, to stay it, by diverting the course and current of it another way:3 The like course doth our Saviour Christ take in this place. For observingb the mindes and hearts, the thoughts and cares of most men, to be wholly addicted unto, and carried after the things of this world, he endevoureth in this place to withdraw them there-from, and so to cure them of this running disease, by diverting and turning the tide and streame of them another way.5 And as the Apostle would have us turne all our worldly griefe intoc godly griefe, into sorrow for our sins; and our Saviour else-where, all our worldly feare into godly feare, intod feare of offending and displeasing God Almightie; so here he willeth us to turne all our worldly care into godly care, our care for this life,8 and the things of this life, into care for the things of another, of a better life.
aErumpens sanguis vena secta sistitur. Fernel. method. med. l. 2. c. 6.
*Dumb revulsionis vi revocatur. Ibid.Dum revulsionis vi revocatur. Ibid.
Now because manye doubts and distrustful thoughts might hereupon arise in weak or worldly mens minds, how they should be provided for, and furnished with meat, drink, and apparel, and other necessaries of this life; that they may beg or starve, if they look not after the world: Our Saviour for the further strengthening of ⟨p. 28⟩their faith herein, and better encouragement hereunto, assureth them that upon their due and diligent pursuit of the one, God himself will be mindful of them, to supply them with the other; these things that they now thirst after, and take so much thought for, shall upon their so doing, without their further care be cast in upon them, andf added as an overplus or an advantage thereunto.
Now because manye doubts and distrustfull thoughts might hereupon arise in weake or worldly mens mindes, how they should be provided for, and furnished with meat, drink, and apparell, and other necessaries of this life; that they may beg or starve, if they looke not after the world: Our Saviour for the further strengthning of ⟨p. 28⟩their faith herein, and better encouragement hereunto, assureth them that upon their due and diligent pursuit of the one, God himselfe will be mindfull of them, to supply them with the other; these things that they now thirst after, and take so much thought for, shall upon their so doing, without their further care be cast in upon them, andf added as an overplus or an advantage thereunto.
fNon ait, [Greek or Hebrew], dabuntur; sed [Greek or Hebrew], addentur, [Greek or Hebrew], velut additamentum: Metaphora ab eis qui poma, pyra, &c. emunt. Piscat. [Greek or Hebrew]. Chrysost. in Matth. 22. Non ait, dabuntur, sed, adjicientur. Aliud est enim quod principaliter datur, aliud quod superadditur. Greg. Moral. l. 15. c. 20.Non ait, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, dabuntur; sed 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, addentur, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, velut additamentum: Metaphora ab eis qui poma, pyra, &c. emunt. Piscat. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Chrysost. in Matth. 22. Non ait, dabuntur, sed, adjicientur. Aliud est enim quod principaliter datur, aliud quod superadditur. Greg. Moral. l. 15. c. 20.
wee cannot but of some part of them remaine ignorant still: Nor can wee attaine to such a full and plenary assurance of our right to it, but that some doubt and scruple about it will be sometime troubling us: For since that as our other parts, so
our faith also is imperfect; and our notice of it as weake ordinarily, as our faith it selfe is; and that where faith is so imperfect, there must needs be some
wavering should be: especially considering that we have to deale with a most wily Adversary, that is wont oft to be questioning of this our right and title, & by many subtill quirkes, and fallacies, and colourable pretences, endevouring to shake this our assurance: And much lesse can wee attaine to any full and absolute, (while but
Amasa's corps) either stayed, or turned aside, or disheartned, or slacked in this your religious course; a plentifull recompence I shall esteeme it of my paines therein taken, and I beseech God to that purpose to give his blessing thereupon. I have unto the Sermon annexed a short Catecheticall Summe, which may help, though not your selves, being now past such helps, yet your younger ones, that are
not past the breast yet, (for which sort in mine owne Family at first I contrived it;) in the enquiry after, and discovery of the way to this Kingdome: wherein from the grounds of sacred Scripture is briefly declared, how at first wee were
