Reformations Preservation, Title page – Dedication
REFORMATION'S PRESERVATION: OPENED IN A SERMON Preached at Weſtminſter before the Honourable Houſe of COMMONS, at the late ſolemne FAST, July 26. 1643.
By SIDR. SIMPSON, Miniſter of the Word.
Publiſhed by Order of that Houſe.
LONDON, Printed for Benjamin Allen, and are to be ſold in Popes-head-Alley, 1643.
TO THE HONOVRABLE Houſe of COMMONS Aſſembled in PARLIAMENT.
ALL the well-affected in the Kingdom cry unto you, as the woman of Samaria did unto the King, Helpe us: or as the Diſciples did to Chriſt; you have bid us come unto you upon the waters, Save us, for we are ſinking; ſinking in our eſtates, our liberties, our Religion, yea in our hearts and courage too. You have many wayes before you for our ſafety, as the ſpeedy execution of juſtice on Offendors, Ier. 5.1. 1 Sam. 21.15.14. (their life may bee our death 1 Kin. 20.4….) the vigorous proſecution of the warre; the taking hold of all advantageous opportunities; the wiſe and active improvement of that Spirit God hath yet left in the People, which never was more high and great then now it will be.Great dangers raiſe great courage.
But there is no meanes like to Reformation: that's a defence cannot be beaten down. The ſtones and timber of the Temple were hewed and ſquared indeed, ſome time before they were ſet up, but if that building be not in your heart, and in your hearts above all things beſides, what ever elſe you doe will either be without ſucceſſe, or make us further miſerable. Without ſucceſſe; for except the Lord doe keep the Kingdome, the Watch-men are in vaine; and God will not keepe that which is not a Glory to him: or elſe make us more miſerable; for when men are ſubdued, God will come and war againſt us. It's a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God: Our God is a conſuming fire, Heb. 12.29. and theſe words are ſpoken to preſſe on a Reformation. If a Reformation be not aimed at, Quorſum haec diſpendia? why are wee in jeopardy every houre? and are as ſheepe accounted to bee ſlaine? If it bee aimed at, troubles are not troubles, loſſes are not loſſes: Thoſe heapes are not ruines which the Builder makes, in plucking downe to make the houſe up better. Men will never reckon of their taxes, dangers, feares, if they may have Reformation for them. Some evills have ſo ſubtilly layd themſelves between the ſtones of the Common-wealth, gotten ſuch Lawes, obtained ſuch favour amongſt men, becauſe they are imployed ſo much in Civill matters, that no word of God alone can deſtroy them, without ſharpe contentions, unleſſe your hands be on them. Every one may reforme himſelfe, but you onelyonly can the Nation, of thoſe evills: and unleſſe thoſe bee removed, actum eſt de Religione. The God of Heaven give to all and every of you ſuch a ſpirit as may make you fearleſſe of dangers, faithfull to your truſt, true to your profeſſed ends, and ſucceſfull in this worke which ſhall be the dayly prayer of him who is
Your Servant in the Lord, S. Simpſon.