The Ethiopian Eunuchs Conversion, Title page – Table of contents
THE ETHIOPIAN EVNVCHS CONVERSION.
OR, The ſumme of thirtie Sermons vponupon part of the eight Chapter of the Acts.
By SAMVEL SMITH, Miniſter of the Word.
LONDON, Printed by Thomas Harper, for Thomas Alchorne, and are to be ſold at his ſhop in Pauls Church-yard, at the ſigne of the Greene Dragon. 1632.
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL, Sir RICHARD NEWPORT, Knight, one of his Maieſties Iuſtices of the Peace, for the County of Salop, Grace, mercy and peace be multiplyed.
Right worſhipfull,
THe whole bodie of Theologie, may well bee rendered into theſe two heads, The knowledge of God, and of our ſelues; the latter conſiſts principally in the knowledge, firſt of a mans naturall miſery: ſecondly, of his ſelfe-inſufficiencie to come out thereof: And thirdly, the All-ſufficiencie that is in Chriſt. And all ſound preaching, that aymes at the conuerſion of hearers, muſt ayme at theſe things as moſt neceſſarily to be knowne, to life and ſaluation. The Subiect matter of the enſuing Hiſtory of the Eunuchs Conuerſion, is excellent to this purpoſe, if the workmanſhip were ſutable. But herein hauehave I applyed my ſelfe to my countrey hearers, euer endeuouring that they of the loweſt forme might learne ſomething. But now as my defects in handling the Hiſtory hauehave need to be couered and graced by the countenance of ſome, who is of note and reſpect in Gods Church: So why ſhould I doubt of this fauour from you (Sir) hauing ſo conſtantly heard of your moſt religious reſpect vntounto our Tribe, and louelove to the truth. Bleſſed be his Name that hath ſo engrauen this part of his image vponupon you, whereby a good euidence is miniſtred vntounto your own heart, that you are tranſlated from death to life: It is the portion but of a few, and therefore you are to eſteeme it your greateſt honour, and your vnperiſhing riches; whereas all earthly greatneſſe abſtracted from this, cannot make you truly happie. Theodoſius, that Noble Emperour was wont to ſay, Magis ſe gaudere quod Membrum Eccleſiae Dei eſſet, quam Caput Jmperij: He accounted it more honour that he was a member of the Church, then Head of the Empire. Hoc eſt enim omnis homo, Eccl. 12.13. To feare God, and keepe his Commandements. Continue herein, and let your works be more at laſt then at firſt; I dare promiſe your conſcience more true tranquillity herein, and your perſon more honour, then the whole world beſides can affoord you. And thus humbly crauing pardon for my boldneſſe, I commend this worke to your reading; The Noble Ethiopian to your imitation, and your body and ſoule, with all yours, to the protection of the Almightie. My ſelfe remaining,
At your worſhips ſeruice: SAMVEL SMITH.
A Short view of ſuch Doctrines as are enlarged, with their Reaſons and vſes in this Booke.
Doctrines,
MIniſters must diſcharge their duties, notwithſtanding all appearance of danger. Page, 9
Faithfull Miniſters moſt ſubiect to perſecutions. Page, 13
Good Angels ſerue for the good of Gods people. Page, 20
God will teach men by men. Page, 26
Good Miniſters ſometimes diſcouraged when they ſee not the fruite of their Miniſtery. Page, 37
Miniſters muſt bee called before they preach. Page, 42
Wee muſt yeeld obedience to Gods Commandement, though we ſee no reaſon. Pag. 48
We are to take ſpeciall notice of the obedience of Gods ſeruants. Pag. 54
It is a rare thing for great men to bee good men. Pag. 60
Of all ſorts of men God hath ſome that belong to his kingdom. Pag. 70
The Gentiles to be called. Pag. 75
The greatneſſe of none may exempt them from the performance of holy duties. Pag. 77
The publike aſſemblies of Gods people ought highly to be eſteemed, and diligently frequented. Pag. 87
Catechiſing a neceſſary duty. Pag. 104
Religious duties ought earneſtly to be purſued: Pag. 109
A true Chriſtian muſt bee the ſame in priuate, hee is in publike. Pag. 121
In Gods worſhip we muſt ſetch our direction from Gods word. Pag. 125
Godly muſt bee conuerſant in the Scripture: Pag. 133
Men muſt diligently reade the Scripture, though many things bee therein obſcure. Pag. 141
God will be found in the vſe of the meanes that hee himſelfe hath appointed. Pag. 149
Miniſters muſt ſtill hauehave a calling for that they doe. Pag. 154
God hath a ſeaſonable time to ſpeak to his people, Pag. 163
A great mercy of God to ſend a faithfull Miniſter vntounto a people: Pag. 168
God giues things not onelyonly for neceſsity, but for ornament and delight. Pag. 176
God loues cheerfulneſſe in his ſervice. Pag. 185
Truth of Gods word not to be meaſured by outward appearāce. Pag. 193
Miniſters to inſtruct in priuate, as preach in publike. Pag. 198
Holy duties muſt bee performed with vnderſtanding. Pag. 205
Signe of a gratious heart to confeſſe ones ignorance. Pag. 211
Humilitie an excellent ornament in a Chriſtian. Pag. 217
Men by nature vnderſtād nothing in the S…ptures. Pag. 224
Without preaching of the word, impoſsible truly to know Chriſt. Pag. 233
We muſt not only ſee our ignorance, but labour to come out of it. Pag. 242
Great men muſt be great Profeſſors. Pag. 253
Chriſtians ought to bee dayly converſant in the Scriptures: Pag. 254
Chriſt the true ſacrifice for ſin. Pag. 262
A dangerous ſin for man to bee Inſtrument of his owne death. Pag. 278
Chriſt went willingly to death. Pag. 289
No other way to purchaſe life to the Church, but through Chriſts death. Pag. 301
As Chriſts death is cauſe of mourning, his reſurrection is cauſe of reioycing. Pag. 334
Godly muſt through afflictions enter into glory. Pag. 337
Chriſts death momentany, but his life perpetuall. Pag. 361
Heauenly truths are hardly beleeved and applied by vsus. Pag. 366
In all ſtraights goe to Gods Miniſters for direction. Pag. 378
True knowledge of God comes not by nature. Pag. 378
Gods word muſt bee handled with all reuerence. Pag. 384
Miniſters muſt chooſe ſpecial texts on ſpeciall occaſions. Pag. 393
Christ the ſubiect matter of true preaching. Pag. 397
End of the preaching is to bring m… Chriſt. Pag. 405
Time … to be well ſpent. Pag. 411
God neuer wanteth meanes for the good of his ſeruants. Pag. 414
Gods will once knowne, muſt be obeyed. Pag. 419
Hartie Chriſtians muſt be harty in their profeſsion. Pag. 421
Miniſters muſt firſt inſtruct their people, before they adminiſter the Sacrament vntounto them. Pag. 433
Faith neceſſary to the due participation of the Sacraments of the Church. Pag. 438
No perfection of Faith here. Pag. 451
A beleeuing heart is a ſincere heart. Pag. 457
A particular Faith neceſſary to ſalvation. Pag. 469
True Faith, hath euer Chriſt for the obiect of it, Pag. 481
All muſt ſtoupe to Gods ordinance. Pag. 490
No place ſince the death of Chriſt more holy then another. Pag. 495
The Lord would hauehave his ſeruants ſetled & grounded in the truth. Pag. 509
Sound Conuerſion, breeds ſound ioy. Pag. 514
The calling of a Miniſter a laborious calling: Pag. 537