The Sin Against the Holy Ghost, Title page – Dedication
THE SINNE AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST DISCOVERED: AND OTHER CHRISTIan doctrines delivered: IN TWELVE SERMONS VPONUPON PART of the tenth Chapter of the Epiſtle to the Hebrewes.
By SEBASTIAN BENEFIELD Doctor of Divinity and Profeſſour for the Lady Margaret, in the Vniverſitie of OXFORD.
1. COR. 10.12.
Let him that thinketh he ſtandeth take heed leſt he fall.
AC: OX
AT OXFORD, Printed by Ioſeph Barnes Printer to the Ʋniverſitie. 1615.
TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE, WILLIAM, LORD PAGET, BARON OF BEAVDESERT, GRACE AND PEACE BE MVLTIPLIED.
RIGHT HONOVRABLE,
MANY yeares hauehave expired, ſince theſe Sermons began first to hauehave their life in this Famous Vniverſitie. They hauehave hitherto lyen in obſcurity. Only, a few copies of ſome of them hauehave beene tranſcribed, for the vſe of a few. Now they all ſee the light. They were penned with intent, to worke honeſt & good mindes in Gods people. If they ſhall ſo farre prevaile with the Chriſtian Reader, they hauehave their happyneſse. Their maine Subiect is, the greateſt of Sinnes, the SINNE againſt the HOLY GHOST. I deſcribe it to be, (not every ſinne of preſumption, or of deſperation, or againſt knowledge and Conſcience, but) ſuch a kinde of preſumptuous offence, wherein, the profeſſion of the Chriſtian faith is totally renounced, and that, of ſet purpoſe and reſolved malice againſt the very Majeſtie of Almighty God himſelfe, and his Chriſt, our ever bleſſed Saviour. A ſinne abſolutely vnpardonable: There remaineth no ſacrifice for it. The more neede is there, that every man be armed againſt it. For this purpoſe at this time is this poore mite caſt into the Lords treaſurie. It's the beſt I hauehave in readyneſſe. Such as it is, I dedicate it to your HONOVR, vnderunder whoſe protection it may lodge in ſafety, as vnderunder the covert of Minerva's ſhield. I may not ſeeke to any other to Patronize it. It is your Honours of due. The liberall maintenance, which it pleaſeth your HONOVR to extend to the Reader of Divinitie for the Ladie MARGARET for his further encouragement and ſupport, challengeth MORE from me. Meane time, accept this, my good Lord, as a gratefull agnition of your ſo rare bounty. GOD Almighty, the great recompenſer, who rendreth to every one according to their workes, keepe you, giuegive you life, make you bleſsed in this world, and when the reſurrection of the juſt ſhall be, giuegive HE vntounto you that never-fading Crowne of glory.
From my Study in CORPVS CHRISTI COLLEGE in OXFORD, March 25. 1615. Your HONOVRS in all duty and ſervice, SEBASTIAN BENEFIELD.