Christs Warning-Piece, Title page – Dedication
Christ's Warning-piece: Giving notice to every one to Watch, and keep their Garments.
Delivered in A SERMON, Preached at Margarets Westminster, before the Honourable House of COMMONS, at their late Solemn Fast, Octob. 30. 1644.
By Francis Woodcock, Minister in London, and one of the Assembly of Divines.
Published by Order of the said House.
MAT. 24. 43.
But know this, that if the good man of the house had known at what watch the Theef would come he would have Watched.
LONDON: Printed by J. R. for Christopher Meredith and Luke Fawne, and are to be sold at their Shops, in Pauls Church-yard. 1644.
ORdered by the Commons Assembled in Parliament; That Mr Rous, Mr Long, and Mr Wheeler, do from this House give Thanks to Mr Woodcock, for the great pains he took in the Sermon he Preached this day, at the Intreaty of the said Commons, at S Margarets Westminster, (it being a day of publique Humiliation) and to desire him to Print his Sermon; And it is Ordered, that none shall presume to Print his Sermon, but whom shall be licensed under the hand writing of the said Mr Woodcocke.
H. Elsynge, Cler. Parl. D. Com.
I appoint Christopher Meredith and Luke Fawn, to Print my Sermon.
FRA. WOODCOCKE.
TO The Honourable House of Commons Assembled in PARLIAMENT.
GOD is pleased to put so much Honour upon his Ministers, as to stile them his peoples Watch-men, and his own Remembrancers: There is one Scripture that shews them in both these capacities: I have set Watchmen Isa. 62. 6.upon the walls of Jerusulem, ther's the one: You that are the Lords Remembrancers give him no rest, there's the other. Which same perhaps your wisdomes sometimes lighting upon, is the cause why in so solemn a way, and for so long time together, you have thought good to employ them in both Capacities. And not in vaine; For by the exercise of one of these I doubt not but many a blessed discovery of danger hath been made, and so timously prevented; and by the other, hath been obtained many a seasonable and full Blessing. And herein the Enemy (whatsoever other thing he can match you in) yet in this is certainly upon extreamesi disadvantage; as neither having Remembrancers appointed to give the Lord no rest, till he shall make their Babylon a praise in the whole earth: or Watchmen set upon the walls thereof, that are able to fore-see its neer approaching misery, and desolation.
Among all those excellent ones that have been cal'd in this solemn way to watch and pray for you, you were pleased whether because the number was low which you had stinted your selves unto, or whether because you will have a taste of every man, or that the enemy might see the meanest among you is not altogether contemptible, or for what other cause I know not; but you were pleased (I say) not long since to Command me upon the Service. I could not but be conscious of very great insufficiency to such a taske, and yet it was Religion to me, not to dispute, much lesse refuse the commands of those to whom not onelyonly my own particular, but the publique it self, is also so much engag'd. I resolved therefore, that seeing I could not avoyd the service, I would be faithfull in it, and look what I was short in other accomplishments, in that I would endeavour compensation:
Accordingly therefore, when I stood Sentinell for you, and perceiving danger approaching (as was my duty) I fired a warningpiece in your hearing, the Report whereof I now this second time do humbly offer to you.
And now what further do I wish concerning it, but that this same Report which came (besides my expectation) so acceptable to your eares, (I hope your hearts too) might now finde the like favour in your eyes also: and that this Alarum which took so well at the main Guard of this Kingdom (the Parliament I mean) may passe from you, to all that are concern'd, and be a seasonable warning to them also.
If I have been somewhat loud, and plain, the Nature of the discourse will easily be my excuse, which in such cases must either be so, or 'tis worih nothing: If the Trumpet give Cor. 14. 18.an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the Battell: And when I was a declaiming against unfaithfulnesse in others, you know it behooved me to avoyd all appearance and suspition of it in my self.
But why stand I thus excusing, when your goodnesse had forgiven me this, and much more already?
And now this piece of my task is over, and having stood my time upon the watch, reliefe also comming, I must at present cease in this capacity to do you further service: yet in the other I shall not: I shall not cease to make mention of you in my prayers; and though I can be your Watch-man but for a season, yet shall I alwayes be
Your Remembrancer at the Thron of Grace, faithfull & devoted FRA. WOODCOCKE.