witty censurer shall say, that I tell him nothing but what he knew before; I shall be contented with it, and rejoice that he was so well instructed, and wish also that he had needed not a remembrancer; but if either in the first, or in the second; in the institution of some, or the reminding of others, I can do God any service; no man ought to be offended, that sermons are not like curious inquiries after new nothings, but pursuances of old truths. However, I have already many fair earnests that your lordship will be pleased with this tender of my service, and expression of my great and dearest obligations, which you daily renew or continue upon, MY NOBLEST LORD, Your Lordship's most Affectionate, and most Obliged Servant, JEREMY TAYLOR. A PRAYER BEFORE SERMON. O LORD God! fountain of life, giver of all good things, who givest to men the blessed hope of eternal life by our Lord Jesus Christ, and hast promised thy holy Spirit to them that ask him; be present with us in the dispensation of thy holy word [*and Sacraments ;] grant that we being preserved from all evil by thy power, and among the diversities of opinions and judgments in this world from all errours and false doctrines, and led into all truth by the conduct of thy holy Spirit, may for ever obey thy heavenly calling that we may not be only hearers of the word of life, but doers also of good works, keeping faith and a good conscience, living an unblameable life, usefully and charitably, religiously and prudently, in all godliness and honesty before thee our God, and before all the world, that at the end of our mortal life, we may enter into the light and life of God, to sing praises and eternal hymns to the glory of thy name in eternal ages, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. IN WHOSE NAME LET US PRAY IN THE WORDS WHICH HIMSELF COMMANDED, SAYING, OUR Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us ; and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. * This clause is to be omitted if there be no Sacrament that day. A PRAYER AFTER SERMON. LORD, pity and pardon, direct and bless, sanctify and save us all. Give repentance to all that live in sin, and perseverance to all thy sons and servants, for his sake, who is thy beloved, and the foundation of all our hopes, our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus, to whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, praise and adoration, love and obedience, now and for evermore. Amen. CONTENTS TO Page. Doom's-day Book; or, Christ's Advent to Judgment .... 1, 21, 44. For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to HEB. xii. part of the 28th and 29th verses. Let us have grace whereby we may serve God with reverence and Page. This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the Church. Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence |