Sermons on Hebrew 7, Title page – Dedication
CHRIST Set forth in ſeveral Sermons UPON The 7th Chapter to the HEBREWS.
By Mr. Robert Ottee, Late Paſtor to a Congregation in Beckles in Suffolk.
LONDON, Printed for Edward Giles Bookſeller in Norwich, near the Market-place. 1690.
To the READER.
THeſe Sermons are put out after the Authors death; they were taken in Short-hand from the Preacher, and every wiſe and candid Reader will eaſily think, that every thing is not ſo Exact and Perfect, as if the Author had Viewed and Corrected things himſelf; but however, it is much deſired by thoſe that had ſat long under his Miniſtry, that theſe Sermons might be Publiſhed, becauſe they treat of ſuch an excellent Subject, ſetting forth our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, our great High Prieſt and Mediator, in a plain and Spiritual manner, holding forth Chriſt as an object of Faith, that thoſe who are yet unbelievers may be incouraged to look to him and be ſaved, that they may know the way of coming to God by him; and that thoſe that have believed thro Grace, may learn to make more conſtant uſe of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt for Sanctification and Conſolation all their days, ſeeing we do receive all Spiritual bleſſings thro him. The chief deſign of theſe Sermons is to extol Chriſt, of whoſe Perſon, and of the Worth of our Redemption by him, when Miniſters have ſaid all they can, the half is not told of him, yea, it may be ſaid, How little a portion is known of him?
It ſeems thoſe that heard theſe Sermons Preached were much affected with them; and it is hoped the Lord will pleaſe to put in by his Spirit to bleſs them to thoſe that ſhall read them.
Martin Finch.
To the Congregation lately pertaining unto the Care and Overſight of Mr. Robert Ottee, Preacher of the Goſpel at Beckles in Suffolk.
Dear Brethren,
YOu have here preſented to your view thoſe profitable Sermons, which ſounded ſweetly in your Ears. He Preached on this Chapter, as for your Edification and Conſolation, ſo (as he told me) for his own, for he had many Warnings of putting off his Tabernacle. They were Preached on the former part of the Lords day, for he Preached on the afternoon from other Scriptures, more ſuitable to the greater part of his Auditors. Theſe were his laſt Sermons.
We read of the great Prophet Elijah, that he left his Mantle, when he was caught up to Heaven, 2 King. 2. 13. by which great Wonders were effected. And by the bleſſing of God, who giveth the increaſe, great things may be wrought by a ſpiritual, though not miraculous operation, in the reading of theſe Sermons.
By theſe we may underſtand what a great bleſſing you enjoyed in ſuch a Miniſter for above Thirty years, who was abundant in Labours. And likewiſe how great your Loſs is under which you yet mourn!
He was (as is well known) an Interpreter one of a Thouſand, Job 33. 23. An Apollos, mighty in the Scriptures, Acts 18. 24.
Though you are in want of a good Shepherd to feed the Flock, yet you muſt ſay as Abraham (of old) to his Son Iſaac, God will provide.
I intend brevity, and only add a word or two more to you that were his Flock; Remember how you have received and heard, and hold faſt and repent, Rev. 3. 3. Brethren, farewel, be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of Love and Peace ſhall be with you.
I remain, Your willing Servant for Jeſus ſake, WILL. BIDBACK.