Sermons Upon Romans 11:2-8, To the reader
To the godly disposed Reader.
THE Lord, the searcher of all heartes (Christian Reader) doth know, that when these Sermons were first preached, there was no purpose at all that they should come (at any time) vntounto the Presse. And therefore were the seuerall Doctrines applyed, according to the occasion and necessity of the time, as might best fit the capacity, and tend to the good of those that heard them. Notwithstanding (for the reasons which in the Dedicatory Epistle are expressed) it hath since beene thought most conuenient and necessary, that they should be published. And howsoeuer vponupon a second viewe and meditation, many thinges might hauehave beene added, or changed to the better: yet (for the same reasons and considerations also) it was not iudged either fit or safe. But that all and eueryevery part (as neere as was possible without addition or detraction) should come abroade and discouer it selfe (euen at noone day) in matter and forme, in the very same wordes and Phrases, wherein at the first it was deliuered. Nothing doubting but the godly, learned, and iudicious Reader, wil thereupon be induced charitably to interpret all thinges, to beare with such defectes as hee may discerne and iudge the best. Now if that which was intended thus for the good of a fewe (and tended to the offence and hurt of some) doe by this meanes redound to the profit and comfort of many: (for one and the same Doctrine of Christs Gospell becomes often (as it is well knowne) a sauour of life to some, and a sauour of death to others:) Let such as feele and find this profit and comfort, praise God for his mercifull prouidence towardes them in this behalfe, and pray for the ioy and comfort of him, who in this hath laboured for the same vntounto them. And who in a greater measure (through Gods assistance) shall expresse the desire of his heart heerein hereafter, if God vouchsafe life and peace: and if this already done, hauehave (as there is hope they will hauehave) the wished effect. In the meane season, let all true Christians beare this Lesson in minde (as which by woefull experience) is found most necessary and profitable for them. That they take diligent heede (as they tender the glory of God and their owne saluation) that they doe not so much respect the persons of such as are set ouer them in the Lorde, as the wholesome Doctrines of Gods word, which they teach and deliuer, least through a dislike which they hauehave of the men, they lose the grace that is offered vntounto them. It being most sure and certaine, not onelyonly by the examples and testimonies of the Scripture, but by lamentable experience, that where the people are ill conceited of the Minister, though he Preach the word of God neuer so soundly and sincerely, yet is the profit that they reape thereby but very small. Not without great cause therefore, to the end the Iewes might beleeue in him as in the true Sonne of God, sent of God for their good and saluation: doth our Lord Iesus Christ. Iohn 10. Ioh. 10, 37, 38.require at their hands a due consideration of his workes. As knowing well, that vntill they had a good opinion of him, and by his workes became perswaded that he was of God, whatsoeuer hee should teach and Preach, would bee but in vaine, and without effect. And surely this is a point of great importance. Few among many duly considering, what great hurt they doe to themselues, and how much they hinder the saluation of their owne Soules, in withdrawing their hearts and affections from the Minister, and in nourishing strife and contention with him, whom God hath sent to breake vntounto them the Bread of life. If the Minister for his part be not in truth and sincerity of heart, very willing and desirous to liue in louelove and peace with those that hear him. If he be guilty in himselfe of bearing enuy or mallice towards any of them, he cannot withall but be guilty of his owne Soule of vnfaithfulnesse in his calling, and that he hath great want of true louelove, both towardes Christ and towards his Church. And surely so long too, it is vnpossible that he should performe the duties of his calling, with such cheerefulnesse, zeale, and power, as otherwise he might. And therefore howsoeuer such a one doth worthily deserue to be sharply censured and reprooued, yet must the people take heede, that (if it be for no other speciall matter in him yet) in regard of their owne good and saluation, they settle their affections vponupon him in as kinde and louing a manner as is possible for them. Assuring themselues, that the maine & especiall hu…t that can ensue (by quarrelling and contending him with, by making him the obiect of their mallice, and by scoffing, reproaching, and traducing him) is to themselues. They hereby hindring their encrease in knowledge, in faith, and repentance; and wilfully debarring themselues of all other graces of sanctification. For so long as they like not the Minister, they come to the hearing of his Preaching with no sincere affections, but with preiudicate opinions, take few admonions or reproofes in any good part, are apt to wrest and peruert eueryevery thing they heare. And so whereas the Doctrine taught is in it selfe, and vntounto others the sauour of life; it becomes vntounto them the sauour of Death. As if it shall please God to open their eyes, and to touch their harts, with griefe of hart, and with remorse of conscience, they will be constrained to acknowledge. Thus wishing to eueryevery faithfull one, as vntounto mine owne Soule, I cease any further to hold their eyes from the worke it selfe, which now at length comes to the view, as siluer, no lesse tryed then seauen times in the Fire.
Notwithstanding, of this yet further I must desire the Christian Reader to bee aduertised, that whereas I comprehended the whole ensuing matter of these seauen verses into eight Sermons, and so deliuered it to be printed: it is nowe (but by what meanes I know not) distinguished into twelue. By reason of which new deuision, diuers of them hauehave neither orderly beginning nor conclusion. The which, as it nothing pleaseth mee to behold: so could I not but cause the charitable Reader (for mine owne discharge) to vnderstand it. It lying not in my power to preuent this change, many of them beeing printed before I had any sufficient notice thereof at all. Farewell.
Iohn Frewen.
End of the text · John Frewen, Sermons Upon Romans 11:2-8 (1612)