Six Sermons, Imprimatur – To the reader
Imprimatur,
Tho. Grigg R. in Christo P. ac Dno Dno Humfr. Episc. Lond. Sacellanus. Jan. 22. 1668.
SIX SERMONS: WITH A DISCOURSE ANNEXED, Concerning the TRUE REASON OF THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST. WHEREIN Crellius his Answer to Grotius Is Considered.
By Edward Stillingfleet D. D.
Rector of S. Andrews Holborn, and Chaplain in Ordinary to His Majestie.
LONDON, Printed by R. White, for Henry Mortlock, and are to be sold at his Shop, at the Sign of the White Hart in Westminster Hall. 1669.
TO THE READER.
THE design of this Preface, is only to give thee an Account of the occasion of publishing both parts of the following Book: The first contains in it several Sermons, Two whereof were made publick before, which the Stationer intending to re-print, I was not unwilling upon his desire, that some others should be joyned with them. The substance of those I have added, either respects the Vindication of the Doctrine of Christianity in general; or that part of it which relates to the Sufferings of Christ for us. The former I look upon as our great concernment in this Age, viz. to vindicate our Religion not only from the Assaults of Atheists, but of another sort of men who acknowledge a God and Providence, but have very mean thoughts of the Christian Religion: Against whom three Sermons are especially designed, wherein I have endeavoured to prove, that the three grand Attributes of God, his Wisdom, Power, and Goodness, are as clearly discover'd in the contrivance and management of the Christian Religion, as in the Works of Creation and Providence. The latter concerning the Sufferings of Christ is handled in a Sermon preached in this City upon a Solemn Occasion most suitable to the subject. The matter whereof, as it relates to the Reason of Christs Suffering for us, having met with some opposition from a busie promoter of the contrary Doctrine; and that debate being with some heat of late broken forth among us (not without unworthy reflections on the present Rulers of our Church, as giving too much Countenance and encouragement to it) I thought my self obliged, so just an occasion being given, to vindicate the Honour of our Church, and the Truth of the Christian Doctrine in this important Controversie. In the management of which I have passed by the slighter Attempts of some meaner though later Adversaries; but I have carefully considered, the utmost strength which hath been given to that Cause by the great Champion for it, I mean Crellius in his famous Answer to Grotius. Had I intended this at first, as a full Defence of Grotius against him, it must have appeared in another Language, and would have taken up more time, than I can at present allow. But as it is, I hope it may be usefull at this time to those of our own Nation, who dispute fiercely in this Controversie, without understanding it clearly on either side.
It may be some will be dissatisfied, that I give our Adversaries no harder names; but I never found any men convinced by ill Language; and those we have to deal with, are too subtle not to distinguish between loud clamours, and demonstrations. I leave that method of confuting them to those who have greater Abilities in that way. It is enough for me to prove they are mistaken, others may call them what they please for being so. But I think it very incongruous for us, while we magnifie the patience and meekness of Christ in his Sufferings to discover our passion in disputing about them.
I am not ignorant that there are two persons in the Roman Church, who have written something, wherein they would think me to be more concerned, than as yet I can think my self. Unless I had more leasure than meerly to kill Flies, viz. to run after them to make sport with them. When a just Answer shall be given me, (which I have been long threatned withall) I may then probably to give weight, throw in the small grains scattered in many leaves, which may deserve any consideration. But for those who think that these need a present Answer, they discover the weakness of their judgements too much for me ever to hope to do good upon them: And if I have any store of Ammunition left, as it is hard to want it in such a Cause, I am very loth to spend it upon Wooll-sacks.
Reader, except the common civility of not charging the errors of the Press upon the Author, I have no other favour to request of thee, but that which thou wilt be sure to do without asking, viz. to believe me no farther, than thou seest reason for what I say.