Sermons Upon Divers Texts, Title page – Dedication
CERTAINE SERMONS, VPONUPON DIVERS TEXTES OF HOLIE SCRIPTVRE. Whereof ſome hauehave been ſeuerally before publiſhed, and other ſome for the greater benefit of the godly reader are here now added. By M. George Giffard, Preacher of the worde of, God at Mauldon in Eſſex.
LONDON. Printed by the Widowe Orwin, for Thomas Man. 1597.
A briefe Summarie of ſuch Sermons as are contayned in this booke.
A Sermon on the Parable of the Sower, taken out of the 13. of Mathew, verſ. 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.
Two Sermons vponupon the 1. Pet. 5. verſ. 8. and 9. wherin is ſhewed that the deuil is to be reſiſted only by a ſtedfaſt faith, howſoeuer he commeth either againſt ſoule or body: and that whoſoeuer hath once attained the true and liuely faith, it can neuer be vtterly loſt, but he is ſure to get the victorie.
Foure Sermons vponupon the ſeuen chiefe vertues or principall effectes of faith, and the doctrine of election: wherin euerie man may learne, whether he be Gods child or no. Taken out of the firſt chap. of the ſecond epiſtle of Saint Peter, verſ. 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.
A godlie, zealous, and profitable Sermon, vponupon the ſecond chapter of Saint Iames, verſ. 14.15 16.17.18.19.20.21.22.23.24.25.26.
A Sermon vponupon Iames chap. 3. verſ. 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.12.
A Sermon preached at Paules Croſſe the thirtie day of May. 1591. vponupon Pſal. 33.
A Treatiſe of true Fortitude.
TO THE RIGHT WORſhipfull M. Iohn Hutton Eſquier, George Gifford wiſheth health and increaſe of worſhip.
IT is more then halfe a yeare (Right Worſhipfull) ſince I handled this Parable of the Sower, in a Sermon at London. Being instantly vrged by a friend which heard me, to put it in writing, although I was very vnwilling, for ſundrie conſiderations, yet I made ſome promiſe if leaſure ſhould ſerue. Afterward when I would very gladly hauehave been releaſed at her hands whom I promiſed, I could by no meanes obtaine it. I hauehave therefore at the laſt ſo nigh as I could, ſet downe in writing, that which I then vttered in ſpeaking: I know that I hauehave omitted ſome things in the particular applications, and exhortations which I made: and alſo I hauehave added ſomewhat which either then came not to minde, or els time did not ſerue to handle. I ambold to preſent and dedicate this my poore trauell vntounto your worſhip, moued therto with diuers reſpects, at thinking my ſelf in duty bound, not only with this cōmon and generall bond that ye are one which long time hauehave profeſſed the glorious Gospell of Ieſus Chriſt: but with diuers more ſpeciall, which are ſo well knowne vntounto you, that it were needleſſe for me to recite thē: onelyonly thus much, ſeeing I was borne and brought vp vnderunder you, my parents receiuing benefits daily from you, I thinke I ought, when as I am not able to make any recompence, at leaſt to ſhew ſome token of a gratefull minde. But especially I am moued hereunto, with conſideration of the greateſt bleſſing which all my kinred hauehave enioyed by you now ſo long, in prouiding and procuring their ſpirituall inſtruction. I pray you accept of my good will, and account of me as one that prayeth to the Lord for you, that he will multiplie and increaſe his good gifts ſtill in you, to the glorie of his holie name, the benefit of his Church, and your endles comfort in Ieſus Chriſt. Amen.
Yours for euer to command in the Lord, George Gifford.