Two Sermons, To the reader – Dedication
TWO SERMONS: THE ONE PREACHED BEFORE THE Iudges of ASSIZE at OXFORD. THE OTHER TO the VNIVERSITIE. By ROBERT HARRIS.
LONDON, Printed for I. Bartlet, and are to be sold at his Shop in Cheap-side, at the signe of the gilded Cup. 1628.
SAINT Paul's Exercise. A SERMON PREACHED before the Iudges of Assize at OXFORD. By ROBERT HARRIS.
LONDON. Printed for I. Bartlet, and are to be sold at his Shop in Cheap-side, at the signe of the gilded Cup. 1628.
To the READER.
I HaueHave been long pressed to contriue many Sermons (of Conscience) into one discourse, and to annex thereto some Cases for an Essay. I hauehave thought a little of the motion; but finding my selfe partly preuented by my betters, partly intercepted by more pressing occasions, I giuegive vp; onelyonly thus farre I hauehave yeelded, namely, That my rude notes should bee scanned; and in case they shall be deemed of any vse, then to bee published vntranscribed. Some of them hauehave passed (it seemes) the censure, and are now vnderunder view; touching which, vnderstand thus much; First, that these two elder were preached in the Vniuersity, and addressed to the then Auditory and occasion. Secondly, that I hauehave vnderhand, (vponupon the same and other texts) other Sermeas, which (haply) may more comply with thine estate and temper, if so, it is at thy liberty to leaue these, and to whit those, wherein I shall haply expresse more fully what in the Assize Sermon time and importunity made mee forbeare. Thirdly, that I hauehave no conueniency of writing much at home, or of seeing any thing printed abroad, and therefore if things be not all out to thy mind, diuide the blame betwixt the Printer and importunity. I hauehave no more to say but this; Compare Iudas and Paul together, marke the ones misery, the others confidence, and accordingly make thy conclusion.
Thine in Christ, R. HARRIS.
TO THE RIGHT WORshipfull Sir THOMAS CREW, &c. All happinesse.
SIR:
MEn, that can speake, would heare much in few. It is not much that I can doe this way, and therefore it is but little that I will say. Only to three Quaerees (viz.) why (of many) these Sermons were thus, First, Preached: Secondly, Printed: Thirdly, Dedicated? I answer
To the first thus: As in Feasts, so in Sermons we respect the company, not our selues. These two were preached in Athens, 1 Cor. 9.22. & 10.33.and there Saint Paul (whose Rule in these middle things is Omnia omnibus) somewhat varies his stile, and speakes thicke, Act. 17.
To the second thus: these were most and first desired, and we carry Sermons to the presse, as seruants bring drink to the table, only when it is called for.
To the third thus: First, A cuius latere nunquam discessi quin, &c.for my owne priuate, I owe very much to your louelove, for many most kinde fauours, most faithfull counsels, most fruitfull instructions. Secondly, I am willing to pay what I am able, and to commend the rest to the prayers of my Executors and Assignes. And secondly for the publike, not only I, but all the Churches giuegive you thanks, partly for releeuing so many poore members and bowels, partly for adorning Religion with reall performances, whilst others talk, and with attending the maine, whilst too many languish in liuelesse disputes. Goe on (Good Sir) you are in a good way, and you serue a good Master. I know not whom the Lord hath blessed beyond your selfe, in person, condition, profession, relation, succession, eueryevery way: should not you be very thankfull, who should? Now the Lord giuegive you to abound yet and yet, more and more, Philip. 1.9. In his vltin. is & pessunis temporibus, &c.as Paul speakes: and he grant, that in these last & worst daies (as Bernard yokes them) we all may keepe our faith, truth, innocency, Reuel. 16.19.conscience, and the rest of out garments cleane & close about vsus. Amen.
From my Study, Decemb. 20. Your Worships much bounden, ROBERT HARRIS