The Sacrifice of Thankfulness, Title page – Epigraph to the reader
THE SACRIFICE OF Thankefulnesse.
¶A Sermon preached at Pauls Crosse, the third of December, being the first Aduentuall Sunday, Anno 1615.
By THO. ADAMS.
Bern. in Cant. Serm. 35.
Gratiarum cessat decursus, vbi recursus non fuerit.
Whereunto are annexed Fiue other of his Sermons preached in London, and else-where; neuer before Printed. The Titles whereof follow in the next Page.
LONDON, Printed by Thomas Purfoot, for Clement Knight, and are to be sold at his shop in Pauls Church-yard, at the Signe of the Holy Lambe. 1616.
❧The Titles of the Fiue Sermons.
1. Christ his Starre, or the Wise mens Oblation. Math. 2. verse 11.
2. Politicke Hunting. Genesis 25. verse 27.
3. Plaine-Dealing, or a Precedent of Honesty. Genesis 25. verse 27.
4. The Three Diuine Sisters. 1. Cor. 13. verse 13.
5. The Taming of the Tongue. Iam. 3. verse 8.
❧To the Right Worshipfull, Sir Henry Mountague Knight, the Kings Maiesties Serieant for the Law, and Recorder of the Honourable Citie of London.
Worthy Sir;
WHere there is diuersitie of helpes, leading to one Intention of good, the variety may well be tolerated. Who findes fault with a Garden, for the multitude of flowers? You shall perceiue heere different kinds; whereof (if some to some seeme bitter) there is none vnwholesome. It takes fire at the Altar of God, and beginnes with the Christians Sacrifice: the flame wherof (by the operation of the blessed Spirit) may both enlighten the vnderstanding, and warme the affections of good men: and in others consumingly waste the drosse and rust of sinne,Mat. 3. 11. 12. which must eyther be purged by the fire of Grace heere; or sent to the euerlasting fire to be burned. The Wisemens Oblation seconds it: what is formerly commaunded in Precept, is heere commended in Practise. The Politicke Hunters of the world are discouered: and Plaine-Dealing encouraged. One (almost forgotten vertue) Charitie is praised; and a busie vice is taxed. In all is intended Lux Scientiae, Pax Conscientiae; Peccati ruina, aedificatio Iustitiae.
Your noble endeuours are obserued by all eyes, to bee distinguished into this method: from your vertues there is a resultance of shining Light to information, from your Office to reformation of others. Goe forward so still, to menage your Place in that honourable Citie: and let the fire of correction eate out the rust of corruption. You may punish, euen whiles you pitie. The good Magistrate, like a good Chirurgion, doth with a shaking hand search vlcers; more earnestly desiring Non inuenire quod quaerit, quàm inuenire quod puniat. The God of merciemercy and saluation wrappe vp your soule in the bundle of Life; and (when the Lust of the earth shall to the Dust of the earth) fixe you in the blessed Orbe of Glory.
Your Worships in all faithfull obseruance. THO. ADAMS.
Ad Lectorem.
Senec. epist. 59. Cupio, si fieri potest, propitijs auribus quid sentiam, dicere▪ sin minùs, dicam & iratis.