Five Godly and Profitable Sermons, Title page – To the reader
FIVE GODLY, AND PROfitable Sermons concerning
1 The slaverie of sinne.
2 The mischiefe of ignorance.
3 The roote of Apostasie.
4 The benefit of Gods service.
5 The Christians louelove.
Preached in his life time in sundry places. By that late faithfull Minister of Christ Mr WILLIAM PEMBLE of Magdalen Hall in the Vniversity of Oxford.
AT OXFORD, Printed by IOHN LICHFIELD, Printer to the famous Vniversitie, and are to be sold by EDWARD FORREST. ANNO DOM. 1628.
TO THE READER.
CHRISTIAN Reader: These sermons were by the godly, and learned Author of them fitted for the congregations to which he was to speake, & no doubt intended onelyonly for the benefit of hearers, not of readers. Neverthelesse it was the desire of many that they might bee published vponupon hope of good that might be done to the Church of God by them. There is neede of plaine instructions to incite men to holynes of life, as well as accurate treatises to discerne trueth from error. For which end I dare promise these Sermons will make much, where they finde an honest, and humble reader. It was the Authors greatest care to handle the word of God by manifestation of the truth commending himselfe to every mans conscience in the sight of God; as once S. Paul pleaded for himselfe.Gell. noct. Attic. lib. 1. cap. 15. 2. Cor. 4. 2. And if that be the property (which they say) of an eloquent, and good speaker non ex ore, sed ex pectore, to speak frō his hart rather thā his tongue, then surely this Author was an excellent orator, one that spake out of sound vnderstanding with true affectiō. Many excellencies there were in him for which his memory remaines: but this aboue all was his crowne that he vnfainedly sought Gods glory, and the good of mens soules. It remaines, that these sermons be read by thee with a care to profit, and thanksgiving to God for the benefit thou hast by them, sith they are such talents, as in the vse of which hee requires, and expects to bee glorified: Farewell.
Thine in the Lord Iesus IOHN TOMBES.