Five Discourses, Title page – Table of contents
FIVE DISCOURSES On so many Very Important Points OF Practical Religion.
Never before Printed.
By John Kettlewell, late a Minister of the Church of England.
With a Preface giving some Account of the Author's Life.
LONDON, Printed for A. and J. Churchil at the Black Swan in Pater-Noster-Row. 1696.
The Preface.
THE following Sermons are all that the Reverend Author left finish'd for the Press; those which had not his last Hand, were by his particular Order forbid to be Printed; so that the Reader may be assured, that as he is not imposed upon by imperfect Copies, made entire by the care and diligence of Friends; so neither must he expect any other Remains of this kind, than those which are now offer'd to his charitable perusal.
And if Discourses, compos'd upon the weightiest Subjects, handled with great Clearness, and strength of Judgment, animated with a true Spirit of Piety, stood in need of any Recommendation, the Name of the Worthy Mr. Kettlewell might go far to procure them a favourable reception: For such was the Lustre of his Eminent Sanctity, that all Parties paid a due Veneration to his Character; and how wide soever they differ'd in other Matters, they own'd the Perfection of his Christian Morals: Indeed, his great Piety, useful Learning, and solid Judgment, rendred him a publick Blessing, and a peculiar Ornament of the Church and Age wherein he lived; and the wise Improvement he made of such valuable Talents, will cause his Light to shine bright to Posterity, and future Generations shall call him Blessed.
It must be confess'd, that he has given the World a perfect Image of his own Mind in his admirable Writings, the durable Monuments of his true Worth: But because 'tis much easier to prescribe wise Rules for the Conduct of others, than to make use of them in the government of our own Lives; and that to act reasonably, is of greater value than to write well: I have good grounds to hope, that a very skilful Artist will set this Pattern of Primitive Christianity in its true Light, and convey him down to Posterity in his full proportion, that the World may know how carefully he practised those Duties he preached to others, and confirm'd his Doctrines by the powerful Attractive of a sutable Example, which will make his Name to live, and be mentioned with Reverence in the Records of Church-History.
I know his great Modesty thought the Day of Judgment soon enough to lay open the several Particularities of his Life; Where every Work shall be made manifest, whether it be good, or whether it be evil: And all his Care was, how to stand before the impartial Scrutiny of that Dreadful Tribunal; yet as a Work of this nature, may be a just Tribute to the Memory of one so truly Great, if Wisdom and Piety, Learning and Vertue, and a large beneficent Mind, may be allowed to constitute the Character: So, moreover, it may prove very advantagious to Christians in general, especially to those who have the great Honour to attend at the Altar, and are dedicated to the more immediate Service of God, by furnishing them with so compleat a Model for their Direction, Examples being allowed to have a mighty Force in forming us to a right Temper of Mind, by a lively Representation in practice of the Possibility and Easiness of those Precepts which are so agreeable to our best Reason, and which our Holy Religion requires of us.
Now the Example of this Faithful Servant of God was fitted for Vniversal Imitation, we find no Affectations of Singularity in indifferent Things, no Stress laid upon some particular Duties to the prejudice and neglect of others; but he had a respect to all God's Commands; his Life was of a piece, and he distinguish'd himself by nothing so much as solid and substantial Piety; his Conversation gave frequent Instances of a profound Humility, and admirable Meekness of Spirit, and sweetness of Disposition; an unspotted Integrity, and a blameless Sincerity; an universal Charity, and a particular Concern for the Necessities of the Poor; a great Tenderness for the Afflicted, and an extreme Desire to do Good to all the World: There was remarkable in Him, a great Love of Devotion; an entire Submission to the Will of God, and a true Contempt of the World, by not suffering it to allure or affright Him from his Duty; a mighty Patience under all Afflictions, and so perfect an Abhorrence of all Sin, that he started even at the very Appearance of it; the Flame of prudent Zeal burnt bright in his Mind; and as nothing gave him a greater Concern, than the hazard Men expose themselves to, by the neglect of their Eternal Salvation, so his chief Sollicitude and Care was always to search and contrive Means to prevent their Everlasting Ruin; and his Thoughts were employ'd how to rescue Souls from those Snares which are laid for them by the World, the Flesh, and the Devil.
Though his Intellectual Faculties improved by the Advantages of a Learned Education, might place him in the first Rank of considerable Men; yet what he valued more in others, and upon which account he was really more valuable himself, were his Moral Accomplishments, his Pious Temper, and Disposition of Mind, his true Christian Spirit: For Learning, and Great Parts, separated from Meekness and Humility, are like a dangerous Weapon in the Hands of a Mad-man, who uses it indifferently against himself and others; and the Compiler of his Life will have no great difficulty to find variety of Instances to justifie this part of his Character; for he showed out of a good Conversation his Works with Meekness of Wisdom.
I cannot forbear upon this Occasion to mention his controversial Writings, which bear evidence in this Case, and are a genuine Proof of what was so very commendable in him; He never treats his Adversaries with ill Language, Scorn or Contempt, nor with personal Reflections, or injurious Surmises; nor because he thought they erred in one Point, did he ever endeavour to make them Guilty of all; nor does he consecrate any unchristian heat under a pretence of defending Truth; a dangerous Rock whereupon many Learned, and otherways good men have fatally split; as if while a Zeal was express'd in matters of Belief, the weighty matters of Practice might be neglected, and if while we shew our selves warmly concern'd for God's Honour, we were exempted from all Christian Rules in the Prosecution of it; but the Wrath of Man worketh not the Righteousness of God; it being a very irregular Method to defend his Cause, by the breach of many of his Precepts, and as improper to expect to convince a Man's Reason, when we provoke his Indignation by any uncivil Treatment. The Suggestions of a Heathen in this Particular are very pertinent, who advises, To give way to falshood with Mildness. Whereby as his Commentator,foreign. Pytha. Carm. Hierocles affirms, He doth not mean we should embrace it, but only give it a patient Hearing, and not to count it such a strange thing, if Men fall off sometimes from Truth And that excellent Moralist, a little before admonishes those who are able to destroy Errour, not to do it vehemently nor insolently.
Moreover Plutarch, that great Ornament of Moral,foreign. Hiero. p. 145. as well as Historical Learning, makes the way of managing a Discourse with modesty and mildness of Temper, neither suffering our selves to engage with Vehemency and Passion, Tom. 2. p. 80.nor to be hot and concern'd in urging an Argument, nor to rail and give bad Words, even tho' we are non-plush'd, to be a true sign of a great Proficient in Vertue. De fin. Bon. & Mal. lib.And the celebrated Roman Orator, gives it as his Opinion, That Disputes accompanied with Reproaches, and opprobrious Language, with Passion, and obstinate Contention, are unworthy of that Man that makes Profession of Philosophy.
I am sure the Precepts of our Blessed Saviour are full to that Purpose, Quae cum legimus quem Philosophum non contemnimus? And that perfect Model of Piety hath set an Example of great Meekness, in instructing those that opposed themselves, and exercised an abundance of Patience, in bearing with the Infirmities of Men, and above all recommends the Pattern of his Meekness, as the surest method of acquiring a Likeness to him, to which Purpose he was pleased to be represented by a Lamb; and the Spirit that taught Christianity came down in the shape of a Dove.
How charitable and beneficial a Mind he had, appeared in the whole Course of his Life, which was spent in prosecuting the noblest Ends of making others Happy; either by his pious Conversation, or charitable Offices, by his judicius Writings, or profitable Sermons, which were always adapted to the necessities of his Flock, and gave warning of those Dangers which threatned them: He was ready upon all Occasions to supply the wants of the Poor according to his Abilities; and the assistance he gave the Sick in his Parish by some skill he had that way, was made use of as a favourable Opportunity to instill his heavenly Instructions, and served as a Vehicle to convey Nourishment to their precious Souls; nothing could set bounds to his large Mind, but that Period which will set bounds to all things; for his Inclinations of doing good were particularly conspicuous at his Death in that considerable Settlement he made for ever upon the Poor of the Parish where he was born in Yorkshire. I call it considerable, because Five and twenty Pounds yearly Revenue in that County very well justifies it; besides it will more deservedly appear so, when the Reader shall know 'twas near half of his Estate; the remainder was Dedicated to the assistance of those Relations, whose Circumstances most requred his Help: but since God had not Blessed him with Children, he gladly adopted the poor Members of Christ, as Heirs to his paternal Inheritance; and instead of entertaining the least repining thought for want of Issue, he thanked God for the opportunity that was put into his hands, of testifying his Love and Devotion towards him. And I believe there never was a Settlement of that kind made with greater Piety and Prudence; the Qualifications of those who are to receive benefit by it, are strict Obligations to the Vertues of a Christian Life; he has laid down such Rules for the managing of it, as in humane Probability may attain their End; and has provided for all those Difficulties which might threaten to render it ineffectual; which was all the labour of his own Brain, and received only its form from the skilful in the Law; 'tis possible the World may see the whole at length, since it may serve to direct those whose hearts God shall touch with such charitable Dispositions. Thus while the World lasts he will be clothing the Naked, feeding the Hungry, visiting the Sick, (having made a yearly allowance for their Necessities) instructing the Ignorant, and powerfully perswading the Poor to apply themselves to the Service of God, by making it the means of their support to obey him. Happy Soul! Thy joy of doing Good will be still encreasing by the Blessed fruit thy Zeal will bring forth even after thy Death; and if in this Life where we see through a Glass darkly, and where our best Services are allayed with the Infirmities of our frail Nature, a good Man often thinks no Pleasure comparable to that of Glorifying God; what an unconceivable Happiness must it be in the next Life, where all the Excellencies of the Divine Being shall be clearly discovered, and where Love is pure without the least mixture, and inflam'd to its utmost Capacity; to find that he still glorifies him whom he Loves, and continues to make him yet loved by others? And this his charitable Temper appeared not only in his Actions, but also in his Discourse, which was govern'd by favourable Interpretations of what others either did or said; and where things were apprehended by him, so apparently wicked and unrighteous, that they would not admit of his Candor, there he shewed his Charity in judging favourably of those Dispositions of mind wherewith they were done, ascribing them, if he could lay hold of any Colour and Pretence, to the most excusable Principles.
He excelled in all the suffering Vertues which are the peculiar Beauties of Christianity, and which the wise and good Providence of God, called upon him to exercise; as Patience, Meekness, Trust in God, dependance upon him for Succour, Self-denial, cheerfully taking up the Cross, forgiving Injuries, and doing good to those that despitefully used him; and had he alwaies lived in a calm we could not have formed so just an Idea of his worth; for we must be in a suffering state, and exposed to the weight of many and great afflictions, before we can be assured how patiently and contentedly, how cheerfully and couragiously we can undergo them; and agreeable to this 'tis remarkable that Plato to finish his Character of a Righteous man, makes him pass through a scene of sufferings to justifie the principle of his vertue; fleeting pains of this short life well recompenced with everlasting joys.
His conduct in the work of the Ministry sufficiently evidenc'd to the world, how truly he answered that important demand in Ordination; Whether he trusted he was inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon him that Office and Ministration?
The constant application of his time and pains to the discharge of his Pastoral Duties; the great neglect he always shewed in solliciting Preferments, and his readiness and chearfulness in parting with that Station he was placed in, when he apprehended the keeping of it inconsistent with the peace of his mind, is a clear proof that the only design he aimed at by engaging in the Sacred Function, was the Service of his Blessed Master, and the Salvation of the Souls of Men; and that he espoused his Profession as a happy Instrument of doing good, rather than of being rich and great.
The last scene of his Life, his Sickness and Death still maintained the character of strict Piety and Christian Devotion; and when I shall tell the Reader that his admirable Book of Death made Comfortable, the last effort of his Charity for the salvation of his Brethren, was the subject-matter of his own practice, and the constant exercise of his devout mind under that tedious and lingering sickness, which put a period to his days; he may be satisfied, that he died the death of the Righteous, and that his latter end was like his.
'Tis true, Good men alwaies die well, because qualified for that happy state upon which they enter; though the circumstances of their death be never so sudden, and though the nature of their Disease deprives us of their edifying example in the exercise of death-bed vertues; yet when God gives time, and the advantage of an undisturb'd understanding, the pious soul is carefull to make use of such Blessings, for the securing a happy Eternity.
In order to this purpose our dying Saint, whose lamp was never without oil, thought his sickness a proper season to trim it, and to provide for the Bridegroom's coming; he prudently settled all his temporal affairs, and after his large Legacy for charitable uses, he acknowledg'd the kindness of his particular Friends by some gratefull Remembrance, and rewarded the services of his Inferiors by decent Gratuities. As to the concerns of his Soul, he carefully reflected upon all the Actions of his past Life; diligently examined his Writings, whether they afforded any matter for Repentance, (a practice highly necessary to be imitated, by those who have been ingaged in Controversie) he heartily bewailed all his Miscarriages, and made those solemn professions of his Faith, which the Church requires, and which have a great Tendency to strengthen and confirm those that survive: he freely forgave all the world, and was ready and willing to make Compensation for any wrong that could be charged upon him; he dayly joyned in the publick Prayers of the Church, and frequently received the Blessed Sacrament, once as the Viaticum of a dying Christian, with the benefit of Absolution from an eminent Bishop of our Church; the remnant of his strength he manag'd for the exercise of his private devotions, upon which account he excused himself from receiving the frequent visits that would have been made him by many of his acquaintance: he bore his languishing condition without the least shadow of discontent, and though his mind was eagerly bent upon Heaven, he never betrayed the least desire for the removal of his pains, till God's appointed time should come, and was willing to bear yet longer those pressures under which he lay, if God thought fit to continue them, even though they delayed that happiness he so earnestly desired, and so comfortably expected, which answers S. Augustin's character of a good Christian, Qui patienter vivit, & delectabiliter moritur.
No words can furnish us with a clearer Idea of his true Christian firmness of mind, than those which fell from his own mouth upon the immediate approach of death, when he expressed himself in this manner: I am entring upon my last labour, the Lord gave and he is now taking away, blessed be the Name of the Lord; for I thank my God I am going without any distrust, without the least misgiving, to a place of rest and joy and everlasting bliss; there is no life like to a happy death. I have endeavoured even from my youth, to approve my self a faithfull servant to my Great Master: I have taken some pains in writing several Books; I have seriously considered them, and am fully satisfied (looking on those about him) that you may find in them the way to Heaven; the Christian duties contained therein have been my practice as well as study, and now I find the advantage of it, and therefore be carefull to read them often and seriously and live suitably thereunto, that when you come to the condition I am now in, you may die with comfort as you see me do: I have some little pain indeed, but my pain is nothing so extraordinary as my hopes; for I have earnestly repented of all my sins, and verily believe, that through the tender mercies of my God, and merits of my Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, I shall be carried up into Abraham's bosome. After which he made this short Prayer. I wait, O God, for that everlasting rest which I want at present, but shall not long; I am ready when thou my God calls for me, yet can stay with patience till thou pleasest, for thy time is the best time, and thy pleasure the best pleasure. Such a carefull and wise provision had he made for his last hours, as to be able to look death in the face, not only without amazement, but even with a great degree of joy and consolation.
In short, he was Learned without Pride; Wise and Judicious without Cunning; he served at the Altar without either Covetousness or Ambition; he was Devout without Affectation, sincerely Religious without Moroseness, Courteous and Affable without Flattery or mean Compliances; Just without Rigour, Charitable without Vanity, and heartily zealous for the Interest of Religion without Faction. May we that survive imitate the pattern of his piety, that we may attain that happiness which he now possesses as the reward of it, and in consort with him and all those blessed Souls who have departed this life in the faith and fear of God, sing Allelujahs to the King of Saints, salvation and glory, honour and power to him that sitteth on the throne, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Amen.
14. Dec. 1695. Blackheath. Nelson.
THE CONTENTS.
Discourse I. STating the Notion of Christian Salvavation, and shewing it chiefly to consist in a Deliverance from our Sins, Pag. 1 On Matt. 1.21. Thou shalt call his Name Jesus; for he shall save his People from their Sins.
Discourse II. Shewing that this Deliverance, and entire Obedience is neither impossible nor extream Difficult, if sincere Christians set about it as they ought, p. 35 On Philip. 4.13. I can do all things thro' Christ which strengtheneth me.
Discourse III. How to form such a Purpose of sincere Repentance, and intire Obedience, as will be effectual for this Purpose, Pag. 77 On Acts 11.23. And exhorted them all, that with purpose of Heart, they would cleave unto the Lord.
Discourse. IV. How to take the truest Wisdom of worldly Men in their Managements, and apply them with admirable Vse and Advantage in the Improvement, and Perfection of Holy Obedience, p. 103 On Luk. 16.8. For the Children of this world are wiser in their Generation, than the Children of Light.
Discourse V. About the Return of Prayers; or when we may, when we may not Promise our selves the particular Things we ask for, p. 143 On Matt. 7.7, 8. Ask and it shall be given you, for every one that asketh receiveth.