The Christians Strength, Title page – Dedication
THE CHRISTIANS STRENGTH.
BY WILLIAM SCLATER.
BATCHELAR OF DIVINITY and Miniſter of the word of God at PITMISTER in Somerſet.
AC: OX
AT OXFORD, Printed by Ioſeph Barnes. 1612:
TO THE WORSHIPFVLL Mr WILLIAM HILL ESQVIRE, at PITMISTER in Somerſet, grace and peace.
SIR, a weaker creature then man in Adam, the world affords not: a ſtronger then a Chriſtian, a man in Chriſt the earth beares not. The ſtrong men of David a2. Sam. 23.8.are in ſcriptures renowned: yet what were their conqueſts, but over Gyants or fell beaſts? Wee fight not againſt fleſh and bloud: wee encounter and conquer, yeabRom. 8 37. overconquer thec2. Cor. 4 4. God of this world. Principalities and powers, our head-ſtrong ſelues, we rule, yea overrule, thorough Chriſt that raigneth in vsus. The mighteſt amōg naturaliſts, if abaſures hauehave not deiected, yet honors hauehave puffed vp: if penury hath not diſtracted, yet plenty hath bewitched. ButdPhil 4.12. we know how to abound, and how to bee abaſed: how to be full, and how to ſuffer neede. We can doe all things in Chriſt that ſtrengthneth vsus. It is ſaid of ſome of Davids worthies,c2. Sam. 23.19 they reached not to the firſt three. Nor we (we muſt confeſſe) to the Apoſtles meaſure: but yet we hauehave all received of the f2. Tim. 1.7.ſpirit of power, every one his meaſure, according to the meaſure of the donation of Chriſt. It ſhall behooue vsus to know our ſtrength either actuall or poſſible to all dueties neceſſary to ſalvation, that the idle pretenſe of abſolute infirmity make vsus not ſecurely preſumptuous. And it nearely concernes vsus, to acknowledge the fountaine thereof, the mighty God in our weakenes perfitting his power: leaſt ſelfeconceit make vsus over confident in adventures; or vnthankfulnes, careleſſe to referre our abilities to his glory. That comfort alſo would bee meditated, that the ſupply of ſtrength is certaine when it is humbly ſought, where & how it ought: that no ſluggiſh feare of the Adverſary diſmay vsus in the encounter. To this ſumme amounts this whole ſermon.g1. Pet. 5.10, 11. Now the God of all grace that hath called you to this eternall glory by Chriſt Ieſus make you perfect, confirme, ſtrengthen, and ſtabliſh you. To him be glorie and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Your worſhips in the trueſt louelove, WILLIAM SCLATER.