Wisdoms Character, Title page 1 – Dedication 1
VVISDOMES CHARACTER AND COUNTERFEIT. Deliniated in two SERMONS. The one on the Epistle of St. James, chap. 3. 17. The other on the Gospel of St. Matth: chap. 2. 8. By NATH: HARDY, Minister of Gods Word, and Preacher to the Parish of St. Dionis Back-Church.
JOB 28. 28.
Behold, the feare of the Lord, that is wisdome, and to depart from evill, is understanding.
PSAL. 111. 10.
The feare of the Lord, is the beginning of wisdome, a good understanding have all they that doe his commandements; his praise endureth for ever.
LONDON, Printed by I. G. for John Clark, and are to be sold at his Shop under St. Peters Church in Cornhil, 1656.
VVISDOMES CHARACTER: OR, THE QUEEN OF GRACES. Set forth in a SERMON Preached at the Assizes holden at Aylesbury, for the County of Buckingham, on Friday March 21. Anno Dom. 1655. By NATH: HARDY, Minister of Gods Word, and Preacher to the Parish of St. Dionis Back-Church.
PROV. 4. 7.
Wisdome is the principall thing, therefore get Wisdome, and with all thy getting, get understanding.
Bern. Serm. 1. de Nativit. Christi.
Sola quae ex Deo est sapientia Salutaris, qua secundum B. Iacobi definitionem primum pudica, deinde pacifica est; nam sapentia carnis voluptuosa est, non pudica, sapientia mundi tumultuosa est, non pacifica.
LONDON, Printed by I. G. for John Clarke, and are to be sold at his Shop under St. Peters Church in Cornhil. 1656.
TO THE VVORSHIPFULL, GEORGE TASH, Esq. High Sheriffe of the County of Buckingham.
The blessings of Wisdomes right and left hand.
SIR,
AT your command this small Barke was first launched into the River, and is now put forth to Sea; I know the season is perillous, and perhaps she may meet with a contrary winde, but her Anchor of truth will preserve her from sinking in the sharpest storme. She is no man of Warre, nor intends offence to any, onelyonly a Merchant Man, designed to advance the spirituall traffique, Her outside is plaine, but her lading is rich. The Commodities which she bringeth are the incomparable Jewell of Wisdome, the Amber of Purity, the Gold of Peace, the Silkes of Gentlenesse and Tractablenesse, the Oyl of Mercy, all sorts of pretious Fruits, the Diamonds of Impartiality, Sincerity, and these fetched not from the uttermost Indies, or any places of the earth, but the uppermost Heaven of Heavens.
To your Coast (Honoured Sir) she first putteth in, not doubting the Harbour of a favourable protection, since, though I was the unskilfull Carpenter, you are the Owner; and besides you have a considerable share in her goods, your prudent, peaceable, gentle, mercifull, just and upright conversation, being evident to all who know you.
OnelyOnly give me leave (Worthy Friend) to advise, that you would continue and encrease this Heavenly Trade. True, you have experienced through Divine Providence, blessing your ingenious industry, the advantage of traffiquing in those remoter parts of the World; since your returne to your Native Countrey, the same Providence hath found out for, and conferred on you an invaluable Jewell (a Consort decked with all Wisdoms Ornaments) and by her hath blessed you with those pearles (Children) which no riches can purchase. But in the midst of all these enjoyments, forget not what Solomon saith of Wisdome; The merchandise of it is better then the merchandise of Prov. 3. 14, 15.Silver, and the gain thereof then fine Gold; she is more pretious then Rubies, and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
I have nothing more, but to declare to the World, how much I am engaged to your selfe, and vertuous second self, for Multiplied Courtesies; To Supplicate the Great God, for the accumulation of his mercies both celestiall and terrestriall, on you and yours, and subscribe my self
Your most affectionate Servant, NATH: HARDY.