The Last SERMON Of Mr. Henry Smith. Sometime Master of Arts in Christ-Church College in Oxford, & late Minister in Sallop. With his earnest Invitations to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper. And Directions to young beginners that they may be fitted for that Holy Communion, and receive it with profit. 2. His Holy and Pious Say in general, necessary for all persons. 3. Instructions for young People, Exhorting them to Obedience, and duty towards their Parents. 4. The sad effects of disobedience, in the Examples of many wicked and unnatural Children, who ●ame to untimely ends. With Prayers suitable to divers occasions, by the same Author. published for the instruction and benefit of all Christian People. Licenced and Entered according to Order. Printed for J. Blare at the Looking-glass on London Bridge. 1686 The Epistle to the READER REader in this small Treatise, you will 〈◊〉 such Spiritual Consolation, as will (if it 〈◊〉 rightly applied) strengthen you, and enable 〈◊〉 to resist the wiles of the Tempter, who l● snares to entrap the doubting or careless So● and not only so, but hereby you will be furnis● with Celestial Manna to sustain you and k● you from fainting in your Pilgrimage, thro●●● the wilderness of this World, till you safely ●rive at the Heavenly Canaan, where all is 〈◊〉 and peace: The which that it may be the 〈◊〉 and portion of all faithful and sincere Chri●ans is the hearty desire of him who is a well-w●●●er to Souls. J. B. The Last SERMON OF Mr Henry Smith Late Minister in Salop. etc. Luke 10. Chap. 13. Verse. Woe unto thee Chorazin; woe unto thee Bethsaida: for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sydon, which have been done in you, they had long ago repent in Sackcloth & Ashes. OUr Blessed Saviour, the Prince of Peace, the Mediator and Judge of the World, in order to recover lost ●nd undone Man, and restore him to the state ●rom whence he (through disobedience) was ●allen, laying aside the Ensigns of Glory and Majesty, for a time was content to leave the Right Hand of his Almighty Father, and to ●orgo those Hallelujahs and Triumphant Songs, sung in his praise by Saints and Angels, ●o take our Nature upon him, and fulfil his Father's pleasure, that he might take away the Curse, by becoming an acceptable Sacrific● and a propitiation for the remission of sins▪ But what Entertainment did this low cond●scention of the Second Person in the bliss▪ Trinity meet with among the ingrateful So● of men? why? almost as soon as he was bo● (though his humble Birth was celebrated an● proclaimed with greater magni●cence tha● the greatest of Kings, which might have convinced t●e stupid world that he was the Mess●● a Tyrant seeks his life, and all along snar● were laid to entrap him: ye● he went abou● doing good even to those that were his enemy● many of whom his Miracles (though the● were such as never man did) could not mo● to relent, or once so much as consider th● miserable state they were in; which ma● our compassionate Lord use these words of 〈◊〉 Text, viz. Woe un● thee Chorazin; woe 〈◊〉 thee Bethsaida: for if the mighty works had be● done in Tyre and Sydon, which have been done● you, they had long ago repent in Sackcloth a● Ashes. By which it is plain, That Me●c● and the offers of Grace ●●ighted and neglects draw down impendant Judgements upon t● Heads of the Sons of men: for certain it i● that Tyre and Sydon had not the means used 〈◊〉 them, that were used in Chorazin and Beths●da; they had not the Gospel preached unt● them, nor the visible presence of God among them; no, they were in darkness, and groped for that Light only, which others had as bright as the Sun at Noon day, yet shut their eves against it, they refused his instructions, and would ●ave none of his Reproofs, that (out of the abundance of h●s love) came to pluck them out of the snares wherein Saran had entrapped them, and Chose darkness rather than light, because their de●ds were evil; Oh had they but considered in that the day of their peace, when grace and mercy was offered, how happy had they been! but by carelessness and negligence letting so great a mercy ●●ip, he that came to save them, pronounced in the following verse of my Text, that It should be more tolerable for ●yre and Sydon at the day of Judgement, than for th●se Cities. And now let us consider a little with ourselves, and examine whether we are not in the same Balance with those people: whether the o●●ers of G●ac● have not b●en equal: whether our ●igh●ing them have not been more: and if 〈◊〉, how we shall avoid ●hose woes pronounced, which wo●s are not temporal; but eternal. Have we not had the Gospel in its purity for many years preached amongst us, and its light shining bright as the Morning ●tar, whilst Nations fit in Darkness, and the shadow of Death? how often has Life and Salvation been held forth, and how often refused and slighted? Consider, I say, how the precious moments (upon the well-using of which our immortal souls depend) have been vainly and idly squandered away, in pursuing vanity, and our own idle imaginations, in taking care for the things of this World, which profit not, but are fading and momentary, almost lost as soon as obtained, making themselves wings, and flying away; which caused the Royal Preacher to say, That (after his considering all things under the Sun) he found them to be but vanity and vexation of Spirit; and indeed, they are less than vanity, if compared with those immortal joys, that are laid up for the Righteous, which Eye hath not seen, nor Ear heard: neither have they entered into the heart of man to conceive. Have we, I say, slighted and carelessly rejected these favours and offers of Grace? the● certain it is, we may expect to be included into the number of those that were bidden to the Marriage-Feast, and by many trivial Excuses denied to grace the Chamber of their Lord, and so be pronounced unworthy, which must needs be the greatest misery that can befall us: for that Parable relates not to a temporal Feast, but to the fullness of joy, that ●hall be hereafter, in the presence of the great God of Heaven and Earth; and how then ●hall we mourn, when too late we find our ●elves shut out from the Beatific vision, through carelessness and negligence, whilst ●hose that traveled in Lanes, and by the Highway, little expecting so happy an in●itation, supply our places. O What a torturing and tormenting sting will it be, when ●e consider, that for the trifling momentary ●anities of this deceitful World, we have ●ost those immeasurable and unspeakable Joys ●hat were freely offered, and might have been ●ur own, for mortifying a few carnal Lusts ●nd vain delights, wherein we found no satisfaction; Nor will it be the least addition to ●ur misery, in our lost Estate, to think how we have been invited, and once, and again increated to embrace Life and Salvation; ●ay, how we have been almost at the Gates of Heaven▪ and then fainted and turned back, not ●hinking it a prize wor●h striving for: In ●uch a case, I say, if God withdrawing his ●avour, should give us up to a Reprobate ●ense, and we by sad experience find the hour of Grace is past, and not the least Beam of ●t left to comfort and refresh our weary souls, ●hen, I say, we should be miserable; and yet this will be the case of every impenitent Sinshadow for although God is a God of Patien● and forbearance, long-suffering, and abundant in m●r●y, and pardon, yet will not h● spirit always strive with m●n, but bei● grieved and often affronted, will withdraw 〈◊〉 self, and then will they be given up to be governed by their own Lusts and unr● passions, and run into all wickedness: as to● plain are the examples of Cain and Judus, a● many others that I might instance as 〈◊〉 examples of Divine Vengeance, through th● own perverseness and folly: for the mo● Mercies and Opportunities we have to repe● the greater will ●e our punishment and sham● if we neglect to lay hold on them: for if b● such neglect we grieve and affront the Ho● Spirit, that with sighs and groans unutterable makes intercession for us, what can we le● expect, than that so high an affront should b● as highly resented. And upon the like occasion was it, that the Prophet Isaiah, in t● 1. Chapter of his Prophesy, the 2, 3, 4, an● 5. Ver●es, thus complains, viz. Hear, O Heaven's, and give ear, O Earth: for the Lord ha● spoken; I have nourished and brought up Childre● and they have rebelled against me. The Ox knoweth his owner, and the Ass his Masters Cr● but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. A● sinful Nation! a Nation laden wi● iniquity, a Seed of evil doers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger, they are gone away backward. Why should you be stricken any more? you will revolt more and more: the whole Head is sick, and the whole Heart is faint. In consideration of this, I say, let us look back, and consider what God has done for us, how gracious he has been, and what little Reason we have to sin against so much mercy and goodness, against so much light and so much love, and how we by doing it provoke him to withdraw the light o● the Gospel, and to remove his candlestick from among us, and overshadow us with darkness and desolation; as too sadly the Churches of Asia (though planted by the b●essed Apostles) have experienced, of which once glorious and flourishing Churches now remains nothing but a Name, those Country's being at this day totally overspread with Paganism and Superstition; and this proceeded from their lukewarmness and coldness in holy Duties; plenty of the Gospel, for want of being rightly used, surfeited them, made them grow wanton, and so forget the hand that protected them, cavilling about niceties, and falling at variance among themselves, to the scandal of their profession. And what less can we expect, unless in tim● we repent, and be hearty sorry for the mercies we have abused, and thankful for the many deliverances we have had; no Nation under Heaven having more visibly participated the Almighty's immediate favour. How often, and how miraculously have we been delivered from the treacherous conspiracies and bloody contrivances of our implacable Enemies, visited as with a Fatherly correction by Plague, Sword, Fire, and m●ny other calamities, to wean us from our Sins, and ye● have been hardened the more, which may justly incense the God of mercies to deal wit● us according as he has pronounced by hi● Prophet ●eremiah, in the 23. chapter of hi● Prophecy, verse 10. Moreover, I take fro● them the Voice of Mirth, and the Voice of Gladness, the Voice of the Bridegroom, and the Voi●● of the Bride, the sound of the Millstone, and th● light of the Candle. In which words are comprehended all that can render a people miserable in this Worl● and the World to come: Therefore, whilst i● is to day, hear his Voice, a●d put not off Repentance till to morrow, for no man knows what a day may bring forth; Delays are the guilded Baits, smoothed over, by which the Devil ensnares and deludes men's Souls, leading them through ●he whole progress of their life by vain flatteries of long continuance here, when God ●nows we are as often cut off in the flower of ●ur Age, as when Palsey-Winter chills our ●lood, and leads with trembling steps unto ●he Grave: and then we may assure ourselves ●s Death leaves us, so will Judgement find us: ●nd woe, and alas! will be our condition, if at ●he coming of the Bridegroom we want Oil ●n our Lamps, for than it will be too late to ●●y, and we shall for ever be shut out; or if ●e should enter, wanting a Wedding Garment, that is, if we should by vain flattery, or 〈◊〉 con●dent reliance on God's mercy, have ●ome prospect of Heavenly happiness, and yet ●ever enjoy it, our case will be so much the more miserable. And it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgement, than for such, because they never ●ad the means of Salvation offered them, but groped in the dark Mist of Error, darker ●han th●t the Angel overshadowed them with, when they groped for Lot's door. And what ●an be then expected, but for ever to be shut ●ut from the Beatific Vision, to hear the dreadful Sentence of, Depart from me ye cursed ●nto everlasting F●re: And who can dwell with everlasting burning? ●er. 33. 14. And ten to ●ne this will be the end of such as trifle out their time in hopes a Deathbed repentant will be sufficient to atone for the sins 〈◊〉 their whole life, when for the most part th●● are at that time neither able nor willing, 〈◊〉 especially of all impenitent sinners; for 〈◊〉 the Son of Sirach says, Eccl. 21. 10. ●he way 〈◊〉 sinners is paved with stone, but at the End is 〈◊〉 Darkness, and Pains. And holy David in 〈◊〉 61. 12. saith, God rewardeth every man according to his Works; yet is not God willing th●● any should perish, but that all should be save● and has in the Gospel of his Son left precio● promise, as Balm to cure the wounded Sou●● Nay, he is not only desirous, but e●trea●● desirous, we should be saved: for our ble●● Saviour assures us, There is more joy in H●a●● over one Sinner that repenteth, than over Nin● and Nine just persons, that need no Repentant And God expostulating with the rebellion Israelites, demands of them the question, 〈◊〉 will ye die, O house of Israel? seeming ther● b● loath to stretch out his hand against them but like an indulgent Father strives to re●lai● them by mildness, and prevent their ruin● for certain it is, that his mercies are over 〈◊〉 the works of his Creation. Nor was ou● Blessed Saviour's compassion less, when 〈◊〉 wept over Jerusalem, with this Lamentation O Jerusalem! Jerusalem! didst thou know in th●● ●hy day the things that belong to thy peace, but ●ow they are hid from thine eyes: How often would I have gathered thy children, as a Hen gathereth ●er Chickens, and you would not? Now, I say, ●east this should be our case, let us no longer delay our repentance, but labour with diligence to make our Calling and Election sure: Let us labour while it is day, lest the night of Death come upon us, wherein no man can work: and contend earnestly for the Faith that was once delivered to the Saints: that having run ●he race, we may receive the Crown, which only can make us eternally happy; which God of his infinite mercy grant to all those that ●rust in him, and call upon him. And now to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, Three persons, and One eternal God, be ascribed (as is most justly due) all honour, glory, power, praise, might, majesty, and dominion, both now and for ever, World without end. Amen. Seasonable Instructions in order for a Preparation for the receiving the Holy Sacrament. REceiving the Blessed Sacrament is so necessary a point of Christian Duty, and so great a Mystery of the Christian Religion that it is highly to be observed by all Christians, with the most profound Reverence an● the strictest preparation: for in receiving 〈◊〉 worthily, we mystically or spiritually eat t● Flesh and drink the Blood of our blessed Saviour, that is, by Faith and a full Affiance 〈◊〉 him, whereby he dwelleth in us, and we 〈◊〉 him; therefore it is not a thing rashly or u● advisedly to be undertaken, lest the unworthy receiver far● as the man did that wante● a Wedding-Garment; for notwithstanding the Bread and Wine are but Elements for nourishment, yet in such a case they are to be received as a pledge of the Lords death, till h● coming: it being his special command to 〈◊〉 Disciples, That as often as they did it, th● should do it in remembrance of him; and b● them enjoined to the Primitive Churches, a● from thence continued to this day, in spite 〈◊〉 all Opposition, Persecution, or whatever coul● be invented by Heathens or some professers 〈◊〉 Christianity, that were worse to abolish i● or render it useless. Therefore let such 〈◊〉 are desirous to participate of so great a benefit, conducing to the Salvation of their precio● and immortal Souls, consider. First, Let not any that is in a known sta● of Sin approach the Lords Table, unless he have entered into a state of Repentance, and resolved amendment for the future, lest instead of receiving benefit thereby, he eat and drink his own damnation, not discerning the Lords Body. 2. After a man hath examined himself, let him consider the wretched state he is in, by nature, and the inestimable value of that precious Blood, that was shed for his Redemption, and beg pardon of God for his past offences, and earnestly desire, that through his grace he may for the future be armed against Temptation. 3. Let a man consider well if he have any prejudice against his Neighbour, or have injured him, and if so, he must reconcile himself, for otherwise he is not worthy of so great a Blessing: for as our Saviour saith, If a man love not his Brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he hath not seen? 4. When a man is minded to approach the Holy Table, he must lay aside all worldly thoughts, and fix his mind wholly on Heavenly things, considering well that he is more immediately in God's presence, than at other times, although he is omnipresent, and his eyes at all times pierce the darkest corner of our thoughts and actions. 5. We must put on bowels of compassion and Charity towards our poor Brethren considering that God made us Stewards of hi● good things, that we might dispense them to such as stand in need, and that thereby he may try our Zeal and Love to himself: for He that giveth to the Poor, dareth to the Lord, etc. 6. Have a steadfast faith in Christ, and adore his goodness, that he vouchsafed to h●mble himself to the death of the Cross, to sav● lost Man, and (like the Angels) love and wonder at such his condescension, often putting up praises in Divine breathe to him, fo● such his infinite love and favour. 7. When you kneel to receive the consecrated Elements, let not your thoughts wander, for thereby you will give way to the Tempter, to steal away your affections, and place them upon Worldly matters, and tri●●ing vanities, and so lose the benefit of the Holy Mystery. 8. When you have communicated, retire with a steadfast Faith fixed on Christ, in assurance, that through his merits, Salvation can only be derived to Mankind. 9 Do not so soon as the blessed Solemnity is over, return to the World, to mind temporal matters, nor give heed to vain and idle discourses, but spend the remaining part of the day in works of love, charity, holy exercise, meditation, prayer, and thanksgiving: ●or suffer at any time what you have done to ●ip out of your mind, nor forget the promises 〈◊〉 amendment of Life, lest God be displeased with such trifling, and withdraw his ●race. 10. Learn to be contented in whatsoever ●a●ion or condition it has pleased God to ●ace you: And if at any time you have any doubts, or trouble arising in your mind, know 〈◊〉 proceedeth from the temptation that is ●yed to withdraw you from Holy Duty, and ●e best Remedy to withdraw such obstructions is Prayer, and a steadfast faith, and laying ●'d upon the precious promises of life and salvation, offered in the Gospel to all that are afflicted or heavy laden. And thus much may ●riefly suffice for the instruction of such as are desirous to receive the holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Blessed Saviour: the benefit of which is great, if with a true and ●ely faith in God's mercies, and a resolution ●f amendment of life, it be received; and the ●anger as great, if it be unworthily received. The Holy and Pious Say of H. S. B. of D. in general. LEt no man take care for the things of th● World, more than is necessary, lest 〈◊〉 setting his heart thereon, he forget God. In all Estates learn to be contented wi●● your condition, for if God sees it requisite, 〈◊〉 can raise you from a low condition to a high or bring you from the top of honour, to 〈◊〉 with Job on the Dunghill. Refrain evil conversation, lest by hearing vain discourse, you addict yourself thereto and it becomes habitual in you. If any one injure you, mildly reprove him that so he being overcome by your meekness may take shame to himself & repent of the ev●● Good words are more forcible than threats for what is done unwilling is not done heartily Avoid the snare of the beauty, for that (like a Trap) is set to entangle thy Soul. Be not credulous to believe reports, lest in so doing you create to yourself much trouble. Let not anger overpower you, nor be subject to unruly Passion: for he that cannot govern himself, would do ill to rule others. If Parents or Children die, consider they were born to that end, and that we may go 〈◊〉 them, but they cannot return to us; and therefore restrain from immoderate sorrow, for no sorrow (unless for Sin) is available. Let every man be just in his deal, lest God blast his endeavours: for there is nothing so secret, but his eyes behold it. If we submit ourselves to those that are set ●ver us, we do not therein so much obey Man 〈◊〉 God, whose pleasure it is that it should be so If any be afflicted with sickness or calamity ●et him not repine, but bear it as the chastening of the Lord, who sancti●es affliction to ●hose that trust in him, to the saving of their ●ouls. ●he profitable Say of H. S. to exhort Children to be Dutiful and Obedient to their Parent●. LIttle Children, next to serving God, observe to be obedient to your Parent's 〈◊〉 all things: for so is the will of your Heavenly Father. Remember what is threatened to naughty ●d disobedient Children: That the Ravens of ●e Valley shall pluck out their Eyes, and the young ●gles shall eat them up. Moses in his Law says, That whoever ●rseth Father or Mother, shall die the death. ●herefore take heed, and do it not, no not 〈◊〉 your Heart: for although Man regards it ●t, God will surely punish you. If your Parents be angry, strive to pacify ●em with soft and gentle words, and so w●ll 〈◊〉 win their love. If at any time you have committed a ●deny it not, but be sorry for so doing, 〈◊〉 observe for the future you do so no more. Children, above all temporal Blessing prise the Blessing of your Parents: for ne● any prospered, on whom their Pare● Curse was entailed. Consider what Christ says: He has ●clared, That whoever breaks the least 〈◊〉 the Commandments, is guilty of the wh● Law; And the Fifth commandment 〈◊〉 Thou shalt honour thy Father and Moth● that thy days may be long in the L● which the Lord thy G●●eth th●. Those that cast off Obedience to th● Parents, will never be obedient to any b●side them. The lowly and me●k God giveth Gra● but the proud and stubborn shall be abash● Consider, little Children, that you 〈◊〉 die, for Death as often crops the blossom as the ripe fruit, and then what will beco● of you, if you are not found obedient to th● that God has set over you for your good? Satan first striveth to alienate the heart's 〈◊〉 Children from their parents, then from Go● O let Virtue (my little ones) be yo● Treasure, that so you may (when you dy● be numbered among those little ones th● Christ took in his Arms and blessed. Obedience is the Crown of Youth, and in all God accepts it before Sacrifice. Obey not through fear, but love, and so God will bless you, and you shall see many happy days. Sad Examples of the untimely ends of Children, disobedient to their Parents. THE first in Holy Writ that I find disobedient to his Father, and to despise ●im, is Ham, the Son of Noah the Patriack; who beholding his Father's nakedness, despised and sco●●ed at it, holding him that ●ade him a being next to God, in derision; for which he and all his Posterity in●ailed a Curse, for ever to be ser●●nts and sla●es to his Brethren and they▪ Seed and to have no portion in the Inheritance of his Father; wherefore Josephus is of opinion, that becoming a runagate in the Earth, in process of time, his own children a●ose up against him, and slew him. The second example in Scripture, is of Phineas and Hophni, Sons to Elie the High ●riest; who in despite of their Father, li●ing licentiously, despising him & disobeying ●is commands, they both in one day fell by ●he Sword of the ●hili●●ines. At what time (for their wickedness) God suffered the 〈◊〉 of his Covenant to be taken, and old 〈◊〉 their father, who had been too tender toward them, to fall ●ack and break his Neck. The Third is of Absalon, who und● mining the Throne of a too indulgent fath● conspired his death, and risen in Rebelli● against him; but what ensued? He w● caught by God's Divine hand in an Oak, 〈◊〉 there (whilst he was hanging) thrust throut by Job, and cast into a deep Pit. The fourth is of Adonija, who casting 〈◊〉 all ties of Duty and Obedience, usurped h● fathers Throne, wh●●st he was yet alive; b● what was his end? He was slain by t● Sword of King Solomon. Nor have t● Examples of our later days been less dreadful; for few Youths that have been execute for Robbery, or such like Crimes, but at t● place of Execution sadly confessed, that d● obedience to their parents', and falling in● evil company, brought them to their untimely ends. A Prayer in Sickness, or at the point of Deat● O Holy and most Gracious Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; in whose hands th● souls of the faithful are laid up till the day of Recompense; have mercy upon the so● and body of me thy poor and afflicted ser●ant; O spare me a little, that I may reco●er my strength before I go hence and am no more seen; cast me not away in thine anger, nor forsake me when strength fails; let not thy hot displeasure burn against me, lest ●n a moment I am consumed; nor turn away by Amiable countenance, but be thou my Physician, (O thou Physician of souls) let ●y precious blood wash and cleanse me from 〈◊〉 Iniquity, that so whether I live, or whe●er I die, I may be thine; and through thy Grace be added to make up the number of ●●y Elect; Even so be it Lord Jesus, Amen. A Prayer for young People. O Lord regard my tender years, and accept in good part these my early Sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving ●at I most humbly offer to thy Holy Name; strengthen and support me O most merciful ●●ther, that as I grow in years I may grow 〈◊〉 Grace, and the knowledge of thy Divine ●●ll; that so when I have with patience pas●●d through this troublesome World, I may ●rive at the place thou hast prepared for all ●●se that love and fear thee: and this I 〈◊〉 thou wouldst grant me, not for my own ●e, for I am unworthy of the least of thy mercy's; but for the sake of my blessed ●●rd and Saviour Amen. A Prayer and Thank'sgiving after the receiv●● the Holy Communion. MOst merciful Father, we re●der u● thee all thanks, praise, honour, a● glory, for that it hath pleased thee of t● great mercy to grant unto us miserable s●ners so excellent benefits and privileges, 〈◊〉 to be received into ●he fellowship and company of thy dear Son Jesus Christ our Lor● yea, by his means we are thy adopted Ch●dren, and he is made our elder Brother. Y● O Lord, we come nearer than so: He is o● Head, and we are the Members of th● mystical Body. And all this proceeds fro● thy gracious goodness, and compassion. F● thou hast delivered him to death to give 〈◊〉 life: Thou hast made him a Sacrifice 〈◊〉 the necessary food and nourishment of 〈◊〉 Souls; thou gavest way to the piercing of 〈◊〉 sides, from whence issued water and Blo● that we might know how we came clean from ou● sins, and redeemed from damna●on. Yea, O Lord God, thou hast presents us in this Sacrament that whole Tragedy his passion, that we out of Sorrows might● cover Joys, out of his Groans might be comforted, and out of his death be presented● life everlasting: we beseech thee, O Heav●ly Father, to grant us this request, that th● never suffer us to become so unkind as 〈◊〉 forget such worthy Benefits, but rather m● 〈◊〉 of them in our hearts 〈…〉