Eighteen Sermons, To the reader
TO THE READER.
Courteous Reader.
THese following Sermons are such, as several years since were taken from the mouth of that Man of God the reverend Armagh. When by reason of that bloody Rebellion in Ireland, this star of the greatest Magnitude, was forced to quit his proper Orb, it pleased the Lord, to fix him, as a shining, burning light, for some time in Oxon. Whilest there, he constantly spent himself, and was spent in preaching Christ and him crucified. This he did like himself, with that soundness, diligence, Evidence, faithfulness, and zeal, that he seemed not only willing to Impart the Gospel, but his own Soul unto us. To this day, we seem to see how the Bowels of that Elisha the (Charets and Horsmen of our English Israel) even …ern'd upon the sons of the Prophets. Poor …reatures, at that time, how was our English … A film of superstition, and profaness was there then grown over one of the eyes of this our Island! Our pulpits turn'd as it were into stages; and sadly prostituted to froth and jerks at godlinesse. As for truly learned, soul-searching, soul-saving Preaching, twas that which the most of us either knew not, or scorn'd. The mode of our then Sermons, was more to please the fancy, then to peirce the Heart; to tickle the Ear, rather then wound the Conscience, or save the precious the Immortal Soul. At that time, when we lay thus weltring in our Bloud and Vanity, was the Lord pleased to Cause this star to arise and shine in our Horizon, and by his light and influence to guide us to Bethlehem. A time of love it was, an accepted Time, a Time never to be forgotten, specially by those who through grace can from thence date the Aera of their sound Conversion. The persuasion of Armaghs incomparable Learning, the Observation of his awfull Gravity, the Evidence of his Eminent and exemplary Piety, all improved to the heigth by his Indefatigable Industry, drew students to flock to him as Doves to the windowes. It joyes us to recollect how multitudes of Scholars, specially the heads of our Tribes, throng'd to hear the sound of his silver Bells; How much they were taken with the voice of this wise Charmer! How their ears seemed as it were fastened to his lips, that were like Lillies dropping sweet smelling Myrrh. How did many, very many at that time, Galatians-like, receive this Aged Paul, as an Angel of God, yea even As Christ. Surely if ever, twas then, that the Gospel ran and was glorified in Oxon. Then, then it was that the Lord seem'd to lay the foundations of his spiritual Temple there with saphires, and the Corner-stones thereof with Agats. Here might you have seen a Sturdy Saul changed into a submissive Paul, a persecutor transformed into A preacher. There A tender hearted Josiah lamenting after the Lord, and with Ephraim smiting on his thigh, saying what have I done. Others with the penitent Jews so stabd at the Heart, as that they are forced to cry out in the Bitternesse of their souls, Men, Brethren, Fathers, oh what shall we do. These were some of the blessings from on high, which attended These Sermons when preached to the ear, oh that a like or a greater might follow them, now they are printed to the eye.
These Notes, tis true, were taken by such, who All had the pens of ready writers, and after that compleated by A strict comparing of several distinct papers. This is the Body, the Bulk of these Heavenly sermons. The gloss, the Spirit, The Energy of them, was and must be wholly from Above. We Trust, the publishing of these Notes will not be interpreted by any in the least to reflect on the unparalleld worth of the Preacher, to whose very Dust we owe A sacred Reverence. If any thing seems not to speak him let it be charged not on him, Male dum recitas, &c.but the Publishers, who have only this to add, viz. Their fervent prayers, That these sermons may find the like influence on the hearts of others, in the reading, that they had on their own in the hearing, then will Both have Abundant Cause to bless the Lord.
Thy Servants for Jesus sake, Jos. Crabb. Will. Ball. Tho. Lye. Imprimator Edm. Calamy