Three Sermons, Dedication
THREE SERMONS: viz:
1. A Commiſsion for an Aſsiſe, granted to the Saints.
2. A cloſe Hypocrite diſcovered.
3. The Lawfulneſſe of doing Good out of Hope of Reward.
By Daniel Cawdrey, Rector of Great Billing in Northampton-ſhire.
PHIL. 2.3.
Let nothing be done through ſtrife, or vaine glory, but in lowlineſſe of mind let each esteeme other better then themſelves.
LONDON, Printed by R.Y. for Ph. Nevill, and are to be ſold by Peter Whaley at his ſhop in Northampton. 1641.
A COMMISSION FOR AN ASSISE, Granted to the SAINTS: OR, A Remedie againſt Lawing.
As it was delivered in a Sermon at the Aſſiſes held at Northampton. Iuly 9. 1640.
By D.C. Rector of Great Billing in Northampton ſhire.
REVEL. 20.4.
And I ſaw ſeats, and they ſate upon them, and Judgement was given unto them.
PSAL. 149. ult.
Such honour have all his Saints.
LONDON, Printed by R.Y. for Phil. Nevill, at the ſigne of the Gun in Ivie-lane. 1641.
To the Right VVorſhipfull Sir CHRISTOPHER YELVERTON, Knight (late) High Sheriffe of the Countie of Northampton, all health and happineſſe.
SIR,
IT is the manner of Midwives, ſo ſoon as the childe is borne and dreſſed, to preſent it firſt to the owne parents, and then to the view of others. This following Sermon, as it was first conceived by your motion and requeſt (which is to me a virtuall command) ſo it is but fit and reaſon, that it ſhould firſt be tendred back unto you, that the ſame partie that helped to give it life and bringing forth, might alſo give it protection and bringing up. The ſucceſſe and operation that it had (as I am made beleeve) in the hearts of them who heard it firſt ſpeake, made me the more willing to expoſe it to the eyes of others, to ſee if it might ſomewhat prevaile to ſtifle, and (as Hercules the ſerpents in his cradle) to ſtrangle the lawleſſe contentions of this Lawing age. I have long and often lamented to ſee how all the world almoſt is turn'd into one common Tribunall, either to ſue, or cenſure others. The great reſorts of people in ancient times were wont to be for counſell to the houſes of the Prophets: But now the Innes of Court, and Courts of Justice are more peſtered with Clients, than the very houſes of God. Hence it is, that for the moſt part, that Profeſſion of the Law thrives beſt of any; and thoſe that, perhaps ſome of them, envy an 100. L. per annum to a painfull Levite, with a great deale more eaſe, themſelves get 500. L. and think it nothing. The peeviſh perverſeneſſe of men, is much guiltie of this thrift. For if men had either ſo much grace, or wit, to doe no wrong; or if they doe, or ſuffer wrong, to be willing to referre it to their wiſe and honeſt brethren, they might have both more peace in their minds, and alſo more mony in their purſes. And I cannot but wonder at the frowardneſſe and folly of men, that rather chuſe to referre it to twelve men, and they ſtrangers, by force and courſe of the Law; than to two men their neighbours and friends, by the perſwaſion of the Goſpel. In which proceedings, there is this diſadvantage at leaſt (beſides many more) that whereas they might have choſen Arbitrators, wiſe and honeſt, their differences fall oftentimes into the hands of many, whereof ſome are wiſe perhaps, but not honeſt; others are honeſt, but no wiſer than they ſhould be: In which caſes, a good cauſe, many times, falls to the ground. To prevent which miſchiefe, was, at leaſt, one maine intention of this Sermon. Knowing the weakneſſe of it to walke alone, I have ſent forth with it, two of its elder brethren, (two other Sermons, preached on other occaſions) to wait upon it, (and with it upon you, Sir) as poore folkes uſe to doe, who ſet the elder to tend upon the younger. Such is your noble Candor (as I well know) that you will both protect theſe now made your own, and alſo lovingly accept, what is ſo duly, ſo reſpectfully tendered; not only as a private pledge, but alſo as a publike acknowledgement to the world, of my many great ingagements for your many undeſerved, undeſired favours. And I ſhall never ceaſe (till I ceaſe to be my ſelfe) to ſollicite the Almighty, for Grace, Mercy and Peace upon your worthy ſelfe, your vertuous Lady, and hopefull off-ſpring: taking it for none of the leaſt favours, that I may profeſſe my ſelfe to bee
Yours in all due reſpects, and ſervice in the Lord. DANIEL CAWDREY. …illing Magna. Novemb. 20. 1640.