Threefold Preservative Against Three Dangerous Diseases, Title page – Dedication
A Threefold Preſeruatiue againſt three dangerous diſeaſes of theſe latter times.
1. Non proficiency in grace.
2. Falſ-hearted hypocriſie.
3. Back-ſliding in Religion.
Preſcribed in a Sermon at S. Pauls Croſſe in London, September, 17. 1609.
By William Sclater, Batcheler in Diuinity, and ſometimes fellow of the Kings Colledge in Cambridge.
Heb. 3.12, 13. Take heed, brethren, leſt at any time there be in any of you an euill heart, and vnfaithfull, to depart away from the liuing God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called to day, leſt any of you be hardned through the deceitfulneſſe of ſinne.
Imprinted at London by S. S. fox Richard Bonian and Henry Walley, and are to be ſold in Pauls Churchyard at the ſpred Eagle, neere the great North doore. 1610.
To the right worſhipfull, Maſter IOHN COLLES, Eſquier, at Wilchcombe in Sommerſet, mercy and peace be multiplied.
SIR, I hauehave often catched at ſome opportunity, to giuegive publike teſtimony of my thankefull remembring your deceaſed Fathers kind eueryevery, performed to me. A duty it was, to preſent freely: to me a Kindneſſe, that I was ſelected. The recompence expected I hauehave carefully made good, by inſtructing my people; with what induſtry, God knowes: with what fruit (I thanke God) many ſoules can witneſſe. This kind of teſtimony I the rather embraced, for that it afforded occaſion, to cleare my ſelfe of ſome fond imputations, and of ſtopping the mouthes of vnreaſonable men, that (euen for paines) hauehave made me their by-word. It were long, to reckon vp all ſlanders of the malicious. Theſe are the chiefe, Vnlearned, ſingular, turbulent, factious. As touching Learning, I neuer much vaunted; but by the grace of God I am that I am. He knowes much,Phil 3 10 1. Cor 2.2 Act. 7.22 that knowes Chriſt crucified and the vertue of his reſurrection: yet, had I the learning of Moſes, who was ſkilled in all the learning of the Egyptians, yea, the knowledge of men and Angels, I would endeuour in preaching to obſcure my ſelfe, that the power might bee knowne to be of God For Singularity, this is mine Apology; ſingle I may go, (more ſhame for thoſe ſhould keepe me company:) ſingular, I am ſure I am not, ſith neyther I affect loneneſſe (would God all the Lords people were Prophets, all Prophets, labourers!) and the courſe I held, is preſcribed with a thundering adiura…ion, hauing euer alſo bene holden by all faithfull Paſtours. The way of trauell is indeed leaſt trauelled,Gen. 49.15. and Iſſachar loues his eaſe: yet thus I reſolue; rather then loſe heauen, to go alone; and neuer to be ſo good a fellow, as to run (with Idlers) to hell for company. My Turbulentnes, let theſe things witnes; my parting with many rights for peace ſake: diſgeſting iniuries, I ſay, not onelyonly without Reuenge, but euen without ſeeking for iuſt defence: raylings, ſlanders, aſsaults, hazard of life, indeed what not? and vnleſſe they will indite mee for not admitting ſicam totam into my bowells,Cic. pro Roſc. Amerin. I know not what ſhow of turbulentneſſe they can accuſe me of. For Faction, let my courſes ſpeake: in regard of the Church, for doctrine I teach none but what ſhe profeſſeth: for diſcipline, throughout conformable to the orders preſcribed. If this be the matter, that the multitude is deuided, the cauſe would be inquired, whether mine, or Gods. Not where diſſentions are, there preſently is the Preacher factious. It hath euer bene one Accidentall effect of the Goſpel, to worke ſeperation: Luk. 12.51.ſhall I ſay, betwixt a man and his neighbour? nay, betwixt a man and his child: nay, betwixt a man and himſelfe. And let others pleaſe themſelues in their peaceable Miniſtery, I ſhall neuer thinke hee knowes the vſe of the Fanne, Mat. 3.12that is, alwaies toſsing, and makes no ſeperation. My comfort is in the middeſt of theſe trialls:Mat. 5.12 Thus perſecuted they the Prophets that were before me. Concerning this preſent Sermon your Worſhip may thus vſe it with profit: as 1. a ſpurre to Proficiency. 2. a whip for Security. 3. a preſeruatiue againſt Apoſtaſy. The Lord graunt you and yours, me and mine, the whole Church of God a right vſe of it. And thus iudge of the Authour; Hee wiſheth you more good, then he can do you, and reſts euer,
Your thankfull & obſeruant fauourite, William Sclater From your Pittmiſter: October, 10. 160….