Seven Godly and Fruitful Sermons, Title page – Doctrines
SEVEN GODLIE AND FRVITFVLL SERMONS. THE SIX FIRST PREACHED by Maſter IOHN DOD: the laſt by Maſter ROBERT CLEAVER.
WHEREVNTO IS ANNEXED, A briefe Diſcourſe, touching, 1. Extinguiſhing of the Spirit, 2. Murmuring in affliction.
AT LONDON, Imprinted by FELIX KYNGSTON for WILLIAM WELBY, and are to be ſold at his ſhop in Pauls Church-yard, at the ſigne of the Swan. 1614.
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL MASTER ERASMVS DRYDEN Eſquier, grace, and peace be multiplied.
SIR, it is a point well knowne vntounto your Worſhip, that in duties of abſolute neceſſity wee muſt regard what God doth command and enioyne, not what men doe approue and like of: and that wee muſt ſtill offer vp our ſeruice in obedience to the Almighty, whatſoeuer men doe thinke or ſpeake of vsus. As for this worke of publiſhing the labours of ſuch faithfull and painefull Miniſters, as deſire rather to ſpend their time in preaching, then in writing, I take it not to be a duty of that kind: but of an inferiour nature; wherin the acceptance or diſallowance of thoſe that are godly wiſe, ſhould hauehave a great ſtroke, either for encouragement to proceed in it, or for diſcouragement to deſiſt from it. Herein hauing made ſome triall, I hauehave (through Gods bleſſing) found ſucceſſe beyond my expectation: which as it miniſtreth vntounto mee matter of much reioycing, in regard there are many thouſands in Iſrael, who deſire and embrace the ſincere & plaine doctrine of the Goſpell; ſo doth it ſet an edge on my deſires to take vp ſome vacant houres in this imployment: being right glad, if by any meanes I may bee an helper to the truth, and an inſtrument of refreſhing hungerbitten ſoules, by conueying vntounto them ſome baskets full of ſuch fragments, as may bee communicated without any detriment or diſaduantage to my ſelfe, or to any elſe. Theſe Sermons I hauehave made bolde to recommend vntounto your fauourable acceptance and patronage, not onelyonly in regard of the intereſt which you hauehave in them, and that encouragement which I hauehave often receiued from your Worſhip in buſineſſes of this nature; but alſo becauſe I perſwade my ſelfe that your very countenancing of them, wil adde, though not vntounto their goodnes, yet vntounto their good eſteeme, among many that are religiouſly affected.
And thus nothing doubting of your Worſhips fauour in taking in good worth this my bold attempt, I leaue you to the ſafe tuition of God Almighty, beſeeching him to enrich you & yours with all manner of corporall and ſpiritual bleſſings in Chriſt Ieſus; and to adde vntounto your life, as alſo vntounto the life of your faithfull and gracious yoake-fellow, many happy and comfortable daies.
Your Ʋ Ʋorſhips much indebted, and in what J may to be commanded, IOHN WINSTON.
The Doctrines of the firſt Sermon on ZECHARY 12.10.
Doct. 1. THe way to all happineſſe, is, to hauehave the Spirit of grace.
2. None can make a faithfull prayer without the aſſiſtance of Gods Spirit.
3. The Spirit of prayer doth alwaies leade men vntounto Chriſt Ieſus.
4. The due conſideration of Chriſt his death, is aſorcible meanes to affect the heart with godly ſorrow.
5. It is not ſufficient to mourne for ſin, but wee must make our ſinnes to be our greateſt ſorrow.
6. It is not enough for men to be religious themſelues, but their families alſo muſt be religious.
7. Holy duties muſt be performed in ſecret as well as in publike.
The Doctrines of the ſecond Sermon on LVKE 6.48.
Doct. 1. Hypocrites may goe as farre as Chriſtians in many things.
2. They are the bleſſedeſt hearers of the word, that are the beſt practiſers thereof.
3. EueryEvery man is in truth that out of temptation, which he ſheweth himſelfe to be in temptation.
4. Of all fals, the fall from religion is the moſt woful.
The Doctrines of the Sermon on PSALME 14.5.
Doct. 1. They that are moſt bold in committing of ſinne, are moſt cowardly when dangers doe approach.
2. God is alwaies preſent with good men.
3. Mocking is a grieuous kind of perſecution.
4. The eſtate of Gods people is commonly a poore and afflicted eſtate.
5. True godlineſſe is that which breeds the quarrell betwixt the wicked and the godly.
Fiue other ſelect Doctrines.
Doct. 1. They are the moſt miſerable rebels, that rebell againſt God.
2. It is an infallible note of an impious perſon, to bee vnwilling to heare the word of God.
3. The more holy and wholeſome any doctrine is, the more grieuous to wicked ſinners.
4. Our wretched nature is neuer ſo forward vntounto any thing, as vntounto that which is euill.
5. All the ſorrowes of Gods children ſhall end in ioy.