A92852:150
England's preservation or, a sermon discovering the only way to prevent destroying judgementsEngland's preservation or, a sermon discovering the onely way to prevent destroying judgements
England's preservation or, a sermon discovering the only way to prevent destroying judgements: preached to the Honourable House of Commons at their last solemn fast, being on May, 25. 1642. By Obadiah Sedgwick Bachelor in Divinity and minister of Coggeshall in Essex. Published by order of that house.England's preservation or, a sermon discovering the onely way to prevent destroying judgements: preached to the Honourable House of Commons at their last solemne fast, being on May, 25. 1642. By Obadiah Sedgwicke Batchelour in Divinity and minister of Coggeshall in Essex. Published by order of that house.
London: printed by R. B. for Samuel Gellibrand, 1642
Title page typeset from the transcription.
A Sermon Preached at the late Fast, to the Commons House OF PARLIAM… › 1. To every one of us.
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.
1. To every one of us.
Use 1 WE stand here (this day) before the Lord, and seem to do the work of a solemn Fast-day: We confess Our sins, We pray, We humble our selves, and profess that we will Repent, and reform, and obey the Lord! Here hath been much seed sown (prayers are seed, Tears are seed, Sermons are seed.)
Ʋse 1 WEE stand here (this day) before the Lord, and seeme to doe the worke of a solemne Fast-day: We confesse Our sinnes, Wee pray, Wee humble our selves, and professe that wee will Repent, and reforme, and obey the Lord! Here hath been much seed sowne (prayers are seed, Teares are seed, Sermons are seed.)
But if all this sowing should be but a sowing amongst thorns; if all this should be so managed by us, that our prayers, that our confessions, that our hearings, that our resolvings should come to nothing, and prove nothing: If after once, twice, thrice, many humblings, we yet should not be humbled; if after all the changes which befall our times, our hearts yet should not be changed, but sins remain as strong, and judgements remain as near. If after all this, God should not be reconciled unto us, our transgressions should not be pardoned, judgements should not be withdrawn, mercies should not be sent down; what a bitter and sad thing would this be for a man to perish, though he prays, and to be destroyed though he fasts, and a Nation to be made a curse and an hissing, and a desolation, after it hath seemed to meet the Lord by solemn confessions and humiliations? To perish in the shows of repentance is a bitter perishing.
But if all this sowing should bee but a sowing amongst thorns; if all this should be so managed by us, that our prayers, that our confessions, that our hearings, that our resolvings should come to nothing, and prove nothing: If after once, twice, thrice, many humblings, we yet should not be humbled; if after all the changes which befall our times, our hearts yet should not be changed, but sins remaine as strong, and judgements remain as neare. If after all this, God should not be reconciled unto us, our transgressions should not be pardoned, judgements should not be withdrawn, mercies should not be sent downe; what a bitter and sad thing would this be for a man to perish, though hee prayes, and to bee destroyed though he fasts, and a Nation to be made a curse and an hissing, and a desolation, after it hath seemed to meet the Lord by solemne confessions and humiliations? To perish in the shewes of repentance is a bitter perishing.