Four Sermons, Dedication
To the right Worſhipfull, and his very good friends, Mr. Thomas Stephens, and to his good and vertuous Wife, Mris. Elizabeth Stephens, R. W. wiſheth all happineſſe both in this world, and in the world to come.
IN the Sermon following, there are lapped vp (right Worſhipfull) ſome twelue points of diuine inspiration, which are moſt needfull in this corrupt age wherein we liue, of all mens due and deepe conſideration. The firſt is, that Christ and his Church are contracted together in a thriſe bleſſed marriage, The ſecond is, that the Church doth beare a tender & hearty louelove towards Chriſt her bridegrome. The third is, that the eſtate or condition of Gods childe is the beſt eſtate or condition in all the world. The fourth is, that Chirſt himſelfe is there teaching of men, where his word is truly taught & deliuered vntounto men. The fift is, that the fruit & benefit of Gods word is imparted onelyonly vntounto the Saints. The ſixt is, that the beſt that are, are to be taught and ſchooled in the wayes of God. The ſeauenth is, that Chriſt doth louelove his Church and people well. The eight is, that the Church of God is faire and beautifull in the eyes of Chriſt. The ninth is, that holy Chriſtians need not the mediation of Angels or Saints departed this life, for the oblation of their prayers vntounto the Almighty. The tenth is, that the ſpouſe of Chriſt is ſometimes too careleſſe of Chriſt, and falls a ſleepe in the bed of carnall delights. The eleuenth is, that Chriſtians muſt not continue in their ſins, but ariſe from the ſame & leaue them. The twelft and last is, that all that doe belong to Chriſt, muſt leaue this world & goe after Chriſt. Theſe points are handled, ſeauen of them more at large, exprofeſſo, by way of doctrines, but the other fiue more ſuccinctly vponupon certaine accidentall occaſions. At your leaſure (I pray you) conſider of them, I doubt not, but that you hauehave your portions in them. The text from whence they are drawne may well be applied vntounto you, for eueryevery word therein doth fit you well. One part of it you may ſpeake (with the Church) of Chriſt: and the other part of it you may heare (with the Church) from Christ. And as ſome things in it may comfort you, ſo other things alſo in it may excite you. The Appellations may be your conſolations, and the exhortations may be your excitations.
In the world there are many euils, yea in the congregation of the righteous there are too many infirmities. Our louelove to Chriſt is too cold, it muſt be kindled. Our attendance at the gates of wiſed me is too ſeldome, it muſt be doubled. Ourfailing in our duties is too great, it muſt be leſſened. Our ſight in ſeeing the louelove of Chriſt towards vsus is too Diuine, it must be cleered. Our beauty in the inner man is too ſmall, it muſt be increaſed. Our drowſines in good things is too heauy, it muſt be lightned. Our continuance in ſinne is too long, it must be ſhortned. Our cleauing to this world is too ſtrong, it muſt be weakned. Finally our following afte Chriſt is too ſlow, it muſt be haſtned. To further this heauenly work this little booke may help vsus, for moſt of the things therein are touched, and vrged vponupon vsus with forcible reaſons of perſwaſion: In token of my good will, and the vnfained louelove which I beare vntounto you both, I here preſent it vntounto you both, & conſecrate it to your Worſhips. The God almighty giuegive it a bleſſing, & and make it effectuall vntounto the ſoules of men. I will not trouble you with many words, but draw to an end. As you hauehave begun well, ſo proccede, & let your good works be more at the laſt, then at the firſt. Be ſtill for God in all his wayes, and God will ſtill be for you in all your wayes. Aduance him and hee will aduance you, protect his Saints, and ſhelter them: refreſh the deare members of Chriſt and nouriſh them; ſo ſhall you heare this ſweet ſentence pronounced vponupon yount the laſt: Come ye bleſſed of my Father, inherit ye the kingdome prepared for you from the foundations of the world. And ſo I end and commit you and all yours to the gratious protection of that good God, that doth watch ouer you; beſeeching him ſo to multiply his graces vponupon you, that you may ſee many good and happy dayes in this wretched world, and enioy euerlaſting bleſſedneſſe in the bleſſed world to come.
Your Worſhips in all holy duties to be commanded. Richard Webb.