Four Sermons, Title page – Dedication 1
FOVRE SERMONS, WHEREOF TWO, PREACHED AT TWO ASSIZES, this preſent yeare, 1638, at MAIDESTONE in KENT, the other two, in his own charge.
By ROBERT ABBOT, Vicar of Cranbrooke in Kent.
The Titles and Texts follow on the next leafe.
LONDON, Printed by Tho. Paine, for P. Stephens, and C Meredith, and are to be ſold at their Shop, at the ſigne of the Golden Lyon, in Pauls Church-yard. 1639.
THE LORDS ASSIZE, 1 The Text Iudg. 11. 27. The Lord the Iudge, bee Iudge this day, betwixt the children of Iſrael, and the children of Ammon
NATVRES ASSIZE, 2 The Text. Math. 7. 12. Therefore all things whatſoever yee would that men ſhould doe to you, doe yee even ſo to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
THE CHRISTIANS THRIFT in KEEPING, 34 The Text, 1 Tim. 1. 19. Holding faith, and a good Conſci…en…
TO THE RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD, AND RIGHT HONORABLE, WALTER LORD BISHOP of WINTON, High ALMONER to the KINGS moſt excellent Majeſty, & PRELATE of the GARTER, honor in Both lives.
RIght Reverend, and right Honorable; many men are willing to caſt in ſome of their ſuperfluity into the Lords treaſurie, the poore widow was willing to caſt in all, yet little. It is a wonder that ſhee ſhould bee commended above all thoſe that had fuller hands. But when Chriſt lookes to the giver, a poore widow, and not to the gift, two mites; to the plentie in the heart, not to the penurie in the hand, the wonder ceaſeth.
My preſent gift is like the widowes, from my poverty; yet ſhould I bee an unthankfull liar if I ſhould ſay, it is all I have. God hath vouchſafed mee a double calling: from himſelf, inſuch gifts as have made mee willing according to my abilities; and from the bleſſed church (wherein I humbly thanke God, to bee borne, brought up, and l…ve) in ſuch power to exerciſe the miniſterie which I have received, by reading, doctrine, approbation, and impoſition of hands.
Whatſoever I have by both, I heartily deſire may bee for Gods uſes, and the ſervice of the Church of God amongſt us. I cannot commend them as they are acted by mee, it is by a weake body, and a weaker ſoule. As Saint Auguſtine complayned of old, heimihi! quam contrarius ſum egomet mihi; ego in ſpiritu, et ego in carne: ſo more iuſtly may I. I have a long time beene trayned under fightings within, and without and ever and anon, am ready to bee over-powered with ſinne, or greife. But as the ramme in fight drawes backe, not to quit the field, but to gaine a courſe, to give the greater bruiſe at the next ſhocke: ſo doe I deſire to bee in my infirmities. I ſeeme ſometimes to my ſelfe to faint, and almoſt to faile, and to beare about mee a dying ſpirit every day. Quocunque oculos converto, video documenta meae aetatis, ſaid Seneca of old, and ſo ſay I.
Yet looking to what I have received, ſome ſtrength yet, to worke, and a conſcience to keepe mee within my traces, I preſſe hard foreward, and finde that I looſe not too much ground, thorough him in whom I am able to doe what I doe.
This holds mee up in my worke, and keepes mee in canonicall obedience to my calling, that I may ſay at laſt with bleſſed Auguſtine, liberavi animam meam, yea, and ſometimes alſo (though more to ſatisfie others then my ſelfe) ſcribimus indocti, doctique, I ſtaine paper with my pen.
How unable am I for any great taske, no man knowes better then your honour, who from my youth have beene a ſtay to my waies, an helpe to my ſtudies, and a comfort to my age, ſince by your Honours ſelfe I have beene accounted worthy to bee your Honours ſervant. But ſince I have not had a reſolved face to deny my poore gleanings after the harveſt, to bee brought forth to this learned light wherein we live, I humbly pray that they may firſt riſe or fall, by your honours cenſure.
This firſt preſents it ſelfe, my labour that God may judge, in the judgements of men. Next to that, my deſire that Nature bee not ſilenced in her good law, when wee practiſe that wee call juſtice. And if any thing elſe followes helpe faith, and conſcience in our whole courſe, both publicke and private, whoſoever have beene my friends, from whoſe motions theſe thoughts have beene drawne out, your Honour ſhall bee my firſt judge heere, and patron (if your Honour pleaſe, and neede require) to that which is with humbleneſſe confeſt to be unworthy of you. I need not plead reaſons, I am your Honours for humble ſervice: it is a juſt debt from mee; and that due to your Honour now, and while I am. Due for your undeſerved favour to my ſelfe. Due for your incouragement to my eldeſt ſon while hee was at Oxford. Due for your exhibition to my youngeſt ſonne now hee is in Cambridge. And if this could bee a perpetuall regiſter of your Honours love and bountie to mee, and mine, I ſhould heartily rejoice. But becauſe mothes and time will eate this out, I ſhall humbly deſire to lay up a ſtocke of prayers, for your Honour, in heaven. This is all that I can doe, and this is all from mee that your Honour deſires. Would I doe more, I could not, could I doe leſſe, I would not. This I (by Gods Grace) can, and will; and ſo continue.
Your Honours humble ſervant to be commanded. ROBERT ABBOT.