The Holiness of Christian Churches, Title page – Dedication
THE HOLINESSE OF CHRISIAN CHVRCHES, OR A Sermon preached at the consecration of the Chappell of Sr. Iohn Baker, of Sussing-Herst in Cranbrooke in Kent, Baronet: upon 1 Cor. 11.22.
By ROBERT ABBOT, vicar of the same Parish.
Ecclesia homines sunt, de quibus dicitur; ut exhiberet sibi gloriosam ecclesiam. Hanc tamen vocarripsam Domum Ora…ionum, Idem Aposto…us testis est, ubi ait; Nunquid domos non habetis ad manducandum & bibendū? An Ecclesiam Dei contemnitis: Augustinus. Quaest. sup. Levit.
LONDON, Printed by Tho. Paine, for P. Stephens, and C. Meredith, and are to be sold at their Shop, at the signe of the Golden Lyon in Pauls Church-yard. 1638.
Perlegi hanc Concionem, dignámque judico quae typis mandetur.
Octob. 5. 1638. Tho: Wykes R. P. Episc. Lond. Sacell. domest.
TO HIS HONORABLE FRIEND, THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL Sir IOHN BAKER Baronet, Grace, Mercy, and Peace.
SIr, this Sermon is yours by occasion, and request: and though, in respect of it selfe, it deserves not to appeare in publick; yet for your sake, whose name it must beare, I desire it might continue to posteritie.
Too few yong and noble gentlemen, shew a pious care, and conscience to religion. The lusts of the eyes, the lusts of the flesh, and the pride of life, consume their dayes with vanity and wickednesse. But God of his mercy, hath seasoned you with a better spirit, and so stated you in good, that I am confident, neither I, nor others shall ever see you altered. I rejoyce, and it is my crowne, to see some deepe stamped Characters in you. I have known you from your infancy, and (from your constant love) have beene no stranger from your house: yet did I never heare you (blessed be God) either in passion, or out, to sweare the least oath, no nor so much as once to use the strong and too much tossed Asseverations of Faith, and Troth; you are constant, day by day, at your private devotions, to blesse all your occasions, to prepare you for God whensoever hee shall call, and in the meane time to keepe your sweete acquaintance with heaven. You are so resolved an observer of Gods solemne worship on the Lords day, in comming with the first (as you can) and going with the last (like a doore keeper in the house of your God,) that, by your good will, you would not, on any season, loose any part of publike prayer, preaching, catechizing, or Sacraments, so oft as they are tendred, even to the last blessing. And now, Sir, because of the distance betwixt your house and your Church, and because you would avoid not onelyonly the guilt, but the suspicion of Clandestine and unwarrantable courses, you have obtained by Royall and Ecclesiasticall order a consecrated Chappell in your owne house; In which you have, not onelyonly daily prayers according to the lawes of our blessed Church; but also you doe supply the defects of publike worship, which long waies, and foule weather doe bring upon you, and your blessed family in you.
How happy is it, Sir, for you, and yours, that you had such Religious Parents to learne you to beare the sweete yoake of Christ from your youth! How happie that God hath graciously sanctified their care, and your submission and observance so, as that you goe on to sow your good seede in this your morning, and doe not yet let your hand rest, when your yeares speake a full, and ripe young man! Lastly, how happy that God hath given you a religious Lady, whom you dearely love, and who closeth with you in Love, Mercy, and the devout acts of worship both in publick and private! Long may you live together in conjugal love, and pious affections, to God, goodnesse, and good people! And as you have begunne, and hitherto continued, to be good examples to all my flocke in good workes, and frequenting the house of your God: so that you may still live, and die in such indeavours, resolutions, and practises, shall be the earnest prayers of
Your Worships in all Christian observance ROBERT ABBOT.