A92852:160
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.
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.
Now God forbid, that such works as these should ever fall to the ground, after so many years misery, after so many thousand prayers, after so many gracious overtures which you have made: let it not be said of you in these works, as he said of his own, Faciebam, non feci: he was doing of them, but they were never done. Take up your first thoughts, and engage your hearts and resolutions, and all your endeavours speedily and successfully to carry on (at least) this one work of all works, a solid Reformation: Believe me, it is the work which will bring a blessing upon all your other works: peruse that place well in Haggai 2. 18. Consider now (saith the Lord) from this day, even from the day that the foundation of the Lords Temple was laid, consider it. (vers. 19.) from this day will I bless you. Now whereas Zerubbabel might reply, we would set to this work, but that we are afraid of warlike opposition; To this the Lord answers, in Verse 22. and 23. I will overthrow the Throne of Kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the Kingdoms of the Heathen; and I will overthrow the Chariots, and the Horses, and the Riders: And I will take thee Zerubbabel my servant, and I will make thee as a Signet, q. d. Look you to that work, and I will assuredly look to your persons and safeties.
Now God forbid, that such works as these should ever fall to the ground, after so many yeers misery, after so many thousand prayers, after so many gracious overtures which you have made: let it not be said of you in these works, as hee said of his owne, Faciebam, non feci: he was doing of them, but they were never done. Take up your first thoughts, and engage your hearts and resolutions, and all your endeavours speedily and successefully to carry on (at least) this one work of all works, a solid Reformation: Beleeve me, it is the work which will bring a blessing upon all your other works: peruse that place well in Haggai 2. 18. Consider now (saith the Lord) from this day, even from the day that the foundation of the Lords Temple was laid, consider it. (vers. 19.) from this day will I blesse you. Now whereas Zerubbabel might reply, we would set to this work, but that we are afraid of warlike opposition; To this the Lord answers, in Verse 22. and 23. I will overthrow the Throne of Kingdomes, and I will destroy the strength of the Kingdomes of the Heathen; and I will overthrow the Charrets, and the Horses, and the Riders: And I will take thee Zerubbabel my servant, and I will make thee as a Signet, q. d. Look you to that work, and I will assuredly look to your persons and safeties.