Heaven and Earth Embracing, License 1 – Dedication
Die Mercurij 28o. January, 1645.
ORdered by the Commons aſſembled in PARLIAMENT, that M. Long and M. Holland do from this Houſe give thanks to M. Caryl for the great pains he took in the Sermon he preached this day, at the intreaty of this Houſe, at St Margarets Weſtminſter, (it being the day of Publike Humiliation) and to deſire him to Print his Sermon. And it is Ordered, that none ſhall Print his Sermon, but who ſhall be licenſed under his hand-writing.
H. Elſynge, Cler. Parl. D. Com.
I Appoint George Harloth, and Giles Calvert to print this Sermon.
Joſeph Caryl.
TO THE HONOURABLE HOVSE OF COMMONS Aſſembled in PARLIAMENT.
LAte providences ſpeak the approach of God to you in mercy, if you approach to God in dutie: how happie that meeting will be, is more then I can tell: This I can tell, it will be a happie meeting, By ſuch a people God is highly honoured, and ſuch a people ſhall be greatly bleſſed by their God. All bleſsings concenter in this one, God is with us. All places are full of God, but he fils not all alike. Few know when God is nigh, or when he is a far off, what his goings away mean, or what his commings. They who know theſe things count his preſence their greateſt gain, and his abſence their greateſt loſſe. The puniſhment of loſſe in hell is caſt up for a ſorer puniſhment then that of pain: And the loſſe of God in hell is worſe then the loſſe of heaven. Tis ſo in it's proportion here on earth. Gods withdrawing makes a hell above ground. If ever any people needed the preſence of God, we doe. We have reaſon to crie out with the Pſalmiſt, Be not far from us, O Lord, for trouble is neer. Though out ward peace come to a land, yet, woe unto it when God departs; how woefull then is the condition of a land, when God departs and trouble comes? When the Prophet Ezekiel had deſcribed the Reformation of the Goſpel-Temple and City under Iewiſh notions, he adds this as the accompliſhment of all, And the name of the City from that day ſhall be called (Iehovah Shammah) the Lord is there. Honourable Senatours, That by your ſuffrage and aſsiſtance, Truth and holineſſe (according to the exacteſt patern) may beautifie our Temples, That judgement and righteouſneſſe may flouriſh in our Cities, and that both may be really baptized with this name, The Lord is there, is the prayer, and (in his ſphear) the endeavour of
Sirs, February 18. 1645. Your ſervant humbly devoted in the work of Christ, IOSEPH CARYL.