Three Godly and Fruitful Sermons, Title page – Notice
THREE GODLIE AND FRVITFVL SERMONS; The two firſt preached by Maiſter IOHN DOD: the laſt by Maiſter ROBERT CLEAVER.
Whereunto are annexed, fiue Propoſitions, or points of doctrine, comprehended in three other Sermons, by the ſame Author.
Tam Robvr. Tam Robor. In-Colis Arbor Iovis.
1610.
LONDON, Printed for WILLIAM WELBY, and are to be ſold at his ſhop in Pauls Church-yard, at the ſigne of the white Swan. 1610.
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL MAIſter Eraſmus Dryden Eſquier, grace, and peace be multiplied.
SIR, it is a point well knowne vntounto your Worſhip, that in duties of abſolute neceſſity we muſt regard what God doth commande and enioyne, not what men doe approue and like of: and that we muſt ſtill offer vp our ſeruice in obedience to the Almighty, whatſoeuer men do thinke or ſpeake of vsus. As for this worke of publiſhing the labours of ſuch faithfull and painefull Miniſters, as deſire rather to ſpend their time in preaching, than in writing, I take it not to be a duty of that kind: but of an inferiour nature; wherein the acceptance or diſallowance of thoſe that are godly wiſe, ſhould hauehave a great ſtroke, either for incouragement to proceed in it, or for diſcouragement to deſiſt from it Herein hauing made ſome tryal, I hauehave (through Gods bleſſing) found ſucceſſe beyond my expectation: which as it miniſtreth vntounto me matter of much reioycing, in regard there are many thouſands in Iſrael, who deſire and embrace the ſincere and plaine doctrine of the Goſpell; ſo doth it ſet an edge on my deſires to take vp ſome vacant houres in this imployment: being right glad, if by any meanes I may be an helper to the truth, and an inſtrument of refreſhing hunger-bittenſoules, by conueying vntounto them ſome baſkets full of ſuch fragments, as may be communicated without any detriment or diſaduantage to my ſelfe, or to any elſe. Theſe Sermons I hauehave made bolde to recommend vntounto your fauourable acceptance and patronage, not onelyonly in regard of the intereſt which you hauehave in them, and that incouragement which I hauehave often receiued from your Worſhip in buſineſſes of this nature; but alſo becauſe I perſwade my ſelfe that your very countenancing of them, wil adde, though not vntounto their goodneſſe, yet vntounto their good eſteeme, among many that are religiouſly affected.
I hauehave annexed vntounto theſe Sermons, certaine ſelect points of doctrine, without any ſpeciall texts of Scripture prefixed thereunto: and that becauſe I found the reſt of the doctrines that were deliuered with thoſe, either very briefly handled, and ſo vnfit to be printed, or elſe treated of in ſome of the Sermons already extant. And thus nothing doubting of your Worſhips fauour in taking in good worth this my bold attempt, I leaue you to the ſafe tuition of God almighty, beſeeching him to enrich you and yours with all manner of corporall and ſpirituall bleſſings in Chriſt Ieſus; and to adde vntounto your life, as alſo vntounto the life of your faithfull and gracious yoake-fellow, many happy and comfortable daies.
Your Worſhips much indebted, and in what I may, to be commanded, IOHN WINSTON.
The doctrines of the firſt Sermon on ZECHARY 12. 10.
Doct. 1.
THe way to all happineſse, is, to hauehave the Spirit of grace.
2
None can make a faithfull prayer without the aſsiſtance of Gods Spirit.
3
The Spirit of prayer doth alwaies leade men vntounto Chriſt Ieſus.
4
The due conſideration of Chriſt his death, is a forcible means to affect the heart with godly ſorrow.
5
It is not ſufficient to mourne for ſinne, but we muſt make our ſinnes to be our greateſt ſorrow.
6
It is not enough for men to be religious themſelues, but their families alſo must be religious.
7
Holy duties muſt be performed in ſecret as well as in publike.
The doctrines of the ſecond Sermon on LVKE 6. 48.
Doct. 1.
Hypocrites may goe as far as Chriſtians in many things.
2
They are the bleſſedeſt hearers of the word that are the beſt practizers thereof.
3
EueryEvery man is in truth that out of temptation, which he ſheweth himſelfe to be in temptation.
4
Of all fals, the fall from religion is the moſt woefull,
The doctrines of the Sermon on PSALME 14. 5.
Doct. 1
They that are moſt bold in committing of ſinne, are moſt cowardly when dangers doe approach.
2
God is alwaies preſent with good men.
3
Mocking is a grieuous kind of perſecution,
4
The eſtate of Gods people is commonly a poore and afflicted eſtate.
5
True godlineſse is that which breedes the quarrell betwixt the wicked and the godly.
Fiue other ſelect doctrines.
Doct. 1.
They are the moſt miſerable rebels, that rebell againſt God.
2
It is an infallible note of an impious perſon, to be vnwilling to heare the holy word of God.
3
The more holy and wholſome any doctrine is, the more grieuous to wicked ſinners.
4
Our wretched nature is neuer ſo forward vntounto any thing as vntounto that which is euill.
5
All the ſorrowes of Gods children ſhall end in ioy.
The Printer to the Reader.
Note that the diuiſion of theſe fiue Popoſitions, into three Sermons, was miſtaken by the Printer, not purpoſed by the Author.