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Sermon preface at the Tower of London
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Genre
Date
1597
Full Title
"No title" In: Dering, Edward. A Sermon preached at the Tower of London, by M. Edward Dering, the 11. of December. 1569.
Source
STC 6677
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Sample 1
The original format is octavo.
The original contains new paragraphas are introduced by indentation,
To the Christian Reader.
OF all the outward benefits that GOD hath bestowed vpon man,welbeloued and Christian Reader there is none more profitable
vnto the Church of God, then to keep by writing, those things vttered,
which are necessary, precious, and godly. The voyce onely
heard, perrisheth quickly, and though for a time it work inwardly,
yet such is mans weakenes and infirmitie, that it must not onely bee by liuely
voyce beaten into his head diligently, but also by writing set before him liuelie,
and that continually. This Sermon therefore, as it was long since vttered
zealouslie, and no doubt, by the purpose of God himselfe, who openeth the
mouthes of his Ministers to speake without feare so nowe especially for
their sakes, to whom then it was spoken, it is againe sette out to their farther
view and consideration: that things amisse may be reformed, and true Religion
sincerelie aduaunced: and against this time especially, because that a
Parliament is instant and at hand; wherein if God haue not sealed vs vp to
abide more fearefull and horrible iudgements knowne abuses shall be remoued,
and many vnprofitable strifes ended. Surely, surely, if now it be neglected,
let vs not thinke long to escape vnpunished. It will bee too late the
third day to intreate for mercie. Tamberlaine, Gods vengeaunce, when his
blacke Tents are once vp, though we come out neuer so humbly with Laurell
in our hands, beclad in white garments, yet will he not be intreated, but
by the selfe same sinnes whereby we haue offended, with the same we shal be
punished. The Israelites, by murmuring and wishing flesh, sinned, and by
flesh they were punished. The Leuits wife playing the whore, by hauing her
body abused, was killed. Salomon the wise, greatly in Gods fauour, at the beginning,
sinned through idols, and therefore was ouer-come of Ieroboam
an Idolatrer. Nadab and Abihu, offering strange fire vnto the Lorde, were
both of fire consumed. Banab and Rechab killing of Isbosheth, were killed
themselues. Abimelech killing his brethren, was killed himselfe of a woman.
Adonibezeck, cutting off the thumbes of the hands and feete of threescore
and tenne Kings, was taken himselfe, and vsed after that manner. Ahab, the
King of Israell, despising truth, & following lyes, was iustly plagued of God,
when hee sent forth a lying spirit to deceiue all his Prophets. Terrible is that
threatning of Ezechiell, when he sayth, that God will seduce both Prophet &
and people, that they both may perrish in lyes, which haue refused to follow
him in truth. As for you, O house of Israell, sayth the Lorde, goe you and
serue euerie one his idol, seeing that you will not obey mee. What should I
rehearse any more examples? The Scriptures are full, and they are written
for our learning, vpon whom the ends of the world are come, that we should
take heede and beware, least we offend and perrish as they did: for if wee be
equall with them in sinne, and disobedience, it may safely bee pronounced,
A 2
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that we shall feele the same punishments. Happy therefore is that Prince, andCountry, that heareth Gods Ministers, with full purpose of obedience: and
happy are those Ministers, that in the power and strength of Gods spirit, and
in assurance of their calling, teach all mean their duties, without blaunching
and flattery, whatsoeuer countenence they beare vpon this stage of short
continuance, whether they be Princes or inferiours. For heerein appeareth
Gods loue towards them, in awaking them out of the vanishing dreames of
their lothsome pleasures, to the performance of his worke, which he will not
haue so neglected, that they shall prefer any worldly thing whatsoeuer before
it. Now therefore Gods Church so long time neglected, we trust shall be regarded,
and the good counsailes of the Lord, brought by his messengers and
Seruants, obayed. It is not vnknowne, what blind and ignorant Ministers
are in the Church, what contempt creepeth vpon it daily, what diuision hath
rysen in the same for the Popes trappings, the tayle of Antichrist, and the
outward markes of the Romish beast: what hurt the quarrell of them hath
done to many, what discredite it hath brought to a number, what sorrow to
all the Godly, what ioy to the wicked.
Now if they will not amende it, but yet through worldly pollicy retayne
it, respecting the strength of flesh and blood, let them thinke that this neglect
of Gods Spirit speaking in his Prophets, with such open contempt in denying
to follow the knowne truth, can not but prouoke Gods heauy and
hote vengeance speedily to be poured out vpon vs. The Sunne, Moone, and
Starres, haue already at his commaundement from heauen threatned vs.
Bloody cloudes haue appeared to terrifie vs. Strange Monsters, Earthquakes,
vnnaturall swelling of floods and waters, and to conclude, vnwonted moonings
of the earth, haue beene fearefull vnto vs. If these will not serue, more
vehement sicknesses, famine, and hunger, ciuill warres and bloodshed, with
the taking away of our Soueraigne which God forbid, and rather blesse with
true godlinesse, and long life to raigne ouer vs in the measure of our sinnes
will God poure out vpon vs, and so we shall perrish in his iustice vtterly, that
in mercy refused to embrace his truth obediently.
Therefore from the highest to the lowest, let vs returne to the Lord speedily,
and vnfainedly; so shall Gods Church be reformed, our ministery ame~ded,
the seruice of God by the infallible rule of his truth, directed. The hireling,
tyme-seruer, and Wolfe remoued, the godly and true Minister wel prouided
for, and defended, and all strange worships, strange garments bestained
with popish filthinesse, and monuments that can represent nothing to our
eyes, but execrable idolatry, be quite abandoned; which God in his mercie
bring to passe for his sonne Christes sake, Amen.