A95855:13
The way to true happiness, or, the way to heaven opened. In a sermon…The way to true happinesse, or, the way to heaven open'd. In a sermon…
The way to true happiness, or, the way to heaven opened. In a sermon before the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London, Jan. 28. 1654/5 / By Ralph Venning.The way to true happinesse, or, the way to heaven open'd. In a sermon before the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London, Jan. 28. 1654/5 / By Ralph Venning.
London: printed by T.R. and E.M. for John Rothwel, 1655
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.
That I print this Sermon, and that I print it more largely then I preached it, is in obedience to your Order, which (having resolved a former scruple of mine,) will warrant me for so doing, without ⟨image 4⟩making any further Apology; though I hope that the Readers advantage also will be the more. That my preaching then was not, and that my speech now is not, with the enticing words of mans wisdom, but I hope in the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit and Power. The reason is, that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of words, but in the words of wisdom, or, as the Apostle phraseth it, not in the wisdom of men, but in the Power of God: and that the heavenly treasure might not taste of the earthen vessel.
THat I print this Sermon, and that I print it more largely then I preach't it, is in obedience to your Order, which (having resolved a former scruple of mine,) will warrant me for so doing, without ⟨image 4⟩making any further Apologie; though I hope that the Readers advantage also will be the more. That my preaching then was not, and that my speech now is not, with the enticing words of mans wisdom, but I hope in the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit and Power. The reason is, that your faith should not stand in the wisdome of words, but in the words of wisdome, or, as the Apostle phraseth it, not in the wisdom of men, but in the Power of God: and that the heavenly treasure might not taste of the earthen vessel.
Certainly there was never more need then in our days of preaching and pressing that of our blessed Saviour, Labour not, or work not for the meat which perisheth, but for that which endureth to everlasting life and if any say to me as they to him, What shall we do that we ⟨image 4⟩may work the Work of God? I refer them to the ensuing Discourse for their Answer. Concerning which I only desire that the Scriptures may be searched which do abundantly witness thereunto: To the Law and to the Testimony, if it speak not according to that rule, there is no light in it; but if it appear, (as I believe it will) to be the voice of God, and not of man; I hope none will quarrel with it, lest they be found fighters against God, and why should we provoke the Lord to jealousy? unless we were stronger then he.