A92852:168
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.
A possible work: Though there be many knots, and blocks, and rubs, and alarums; yet do you unanimously and strenuously act, act and the work is done; possunt (said he) quia posse videntur: the Historians ascribe most of King Alexander's success to his courage, there was nothing he attempted, but he conceived it might be done. All works for God are both honourable and feasible: As Tertullian, in comparing the Resurrection with the Creation, said it was more easie reficere quam facere, to make up the body again, than simply to make it to be; that same holds true in this case, it is more easy to reform than to form a Church; as the work is easier to cure a diseased body, than to enliven a dead body.
A possible work: Though there be many knots, and blocks, and rubs, and alarums; yet doe you unanimously and strenuously act, act and the work is done; possunt (said he) quia posse videntur: the Historians ascribe most of King Alexanders successe to his courage, there was nothing he attempted, but hee conceived it might bee done. All works for God are both honourable and fecible: As Tertullian, in comparing the Resurrection with the Creation, said it was more easie reficere quam facere, to make up the body againe, than simply to make it to be; that same holds true in this case, it is more easie to reforme than to forme a Church; as the work is easier to cure a diseased body, than to enliven a dead body.
A needful work: A Reformation is needful when a Church is like to be poisoned with errors, or to be rent with contrariety of opinions, or is sick with manifold corruptions. This is our condition, and besides all this, we see great judgements hanging over us, which have befallen other Churches: were it not better to reform before judgements, than under them? who can tell but it may be an effectual means to prevent them?
A needfull work: A Reformation is needfull when a Church is like to be poysoned with errours, or to be rent with contrariety of opinions, or is sick with manifold corruptions. This is our condition, and besides all this, we see great judgements hanging over us, which have befallen other Churches: were it not better to reforme before judgements, than under them? who can tell but it may be an effectuall meanes to prevent them?