Two Sermons, Title page – Dedication
TWO SERMONS: THE FORMER, CONCERNING THE right use of Christian Liberty, PREACHED At S. PAULS CROSSE London. May 6. THE LATER, CONCERNING the perswasion of Conscience, PREACHED At a Metropoliticall visitation at GRANTHAM LINCOLN: Aug. 22. 1634. By ROBERT SAUNDERSON Chaplaine to his MAIESTIE.
LONDON, Printed by M. F. for R. Dawlman and L. Fawne at the signe of the Brazen serpent in Pauls Churchyard. M DC XXXV.
PErl…gi has duas co…ciones, in quibus nihil reperio bonis moribus, aut sanae doctrinae contrarium, quo minùs cum utilitate publicâ imprima…tur, it à tamen, ut si non intra tres menses proximè sequentes typis mandentur, haec licentia fit omninò irrita.
Dat' Lambethae Jun. 17. 1635. GuIL: BRAY.
TO THE MOST REVEREND FATHER IN GOD, WILLIAM L. ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBVRY, Primate of all England and Metropolitane, Chauncellor of the Vniversitie of Oxford, and one of his Majesties most Hon: Privy Counsell.
I Have been ever willing, (most Reverend Father in God) as at all other times upon just occasion▪ so especially when called to preach at any publique meeting of the Clergy, to vindicate the Government and Rites established in the Church of England, from the unjust aspersions, which in this last age have beene, and still are, cast thereon by ill affected spirits, with a great deals more noyse then there is cause. Not any way to comply (farther then duty and reason require) with the times; (which is the ready objection against this course in every mouth: God pardon their uncharitablenesse and unrighteousnesse who so mis-judge!) but out of an earnest, and as I hope sinc…re, desire of advancing the peace of this flourishing Church and State: wishing unfainedly, that all wee who live in the visible communion of the same body as brethren, might also as brethren (so far as were possible) aRom. 15. 6.With one mind and one mouth glorify God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was no other then this very desire, that gave these two Seri…o…s their first life; nor is it any other thing now that bringeth them into farther light, then the possibility, if not rather hope, of prod…cing some good effect that way: For as it is at all times in the hand of God, so is it many times his good pleasure also, to blesse well-meant (though weake) endeavours, far beyond the proportion of their wo…th. I know there are some b1 Thes. 5. 14.foreign and cTit. 1. 10.foreign, men that will not be brought into order by any meanes, nor satisfied with any reason, so perversely minded are they, and so stiffened in their resolutiōs: who albeit they deserve very little regard other wise, yet euen in respect of them also it is requisite the truth in these points should be sometimes opened; either to dTit. 1. 11.stoppe their mouthes from clamouring, if it may be, or at leastwise (if they will needs be doing) to render their obstinacy the more inexcusable. But it is principally requisite for those mens sakes, and in compassion to their soules, whose honest simplicity hath been abused, and their weake consciences mis-guided, by such Incendiaties, that they may be better informed: and partly also for the confirmation of those that are regular, that they may continue in their right minds, and not suffer themselves to be wrested out of their good beleef by the cunning engines of those that are chiefe factours for the faction. To any of which ends, if (by Gods good blessing) these my slender labours shall lend the least furtherance, it shall nothing repent mee to have published them. But this is all I am able to say for them onwards: first, for the arguments, that I made choice to entreat of such as to mee seemed very usefull for these licencious times, wherein too too many plead Liberty and Conscience, in barre to Loyalty and Obedience: and then for the manner of handling the same, that I gave all diligence to deliver my selfe in the spirit of truth and of meeknesse; that is to say, with all cleare evidence of reason, but without all either gall of bitternesse, or leaven of partiality. However such as they are, I hubly present them to the service of God & his Church, under your Graces protection: as unto whom, by a double title they most properly belong. First, for that they were both preached by appointment from your Grace: the former, in the City, when you were L: Bishop of London; the other, in the Country, at your late Metropoliticall Visitation: and to what hand should they rather returne, then to that that first occasioned their being? As also, for that they tend to the suppressing of Novelties, and to the preservation of Order and Peace (of both which you are most zealous) in that Church, wherein (under God and the King) you worthily sit at the sterne. The God of heaven multiply his blessings upon you; prosper the affaires of his Church in your hands, that Truth and Peace may flourish therein more and more; and remember you according to all the good deeds you either have already done, or entend farther to doe for his house, and for the prosperity thereof. So prayeth
Your Graces in all humble service, ROBERT SAUNDERSON. Boothby Paynell Linc. 4. Febr. 1634.