Selected quad for the lemma: doctrine_n
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A45488
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The pastors last legacy and counsel delivered in a farewel sermon, preached at St. Philips in Bristol, August 24th, 1662 / Mr. Edward Hancock ...
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Hancock, Edward.
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1663
(1663)
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Wing H640; ESTC R40546
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20,130
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40
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THE Pastors last Legacy AND COUNSEL Delivered in a Farewel SERMON Preached at St. PHILIPS in Bristol August 24 th 1662. By Mr. Edward Hancock late Minister there London Printed in the Year 1663. Mr. Edward Hancock's Farewel being his last Sermon Preached at St. Philips in Bristol August 24. 1662. SEt your hearts to hear the words of the Lord for it is not a vain thing because it is your Life as it is continued in the 13 th Chapter of the second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians and the 11 th Verse Finally my Brethren farewel be perfect be of good comfort be of one minde live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you YOu know at this time I am called to do a work which possibly may be unpleasing unto many of you even as to my self which work is indeed a strange work that is to dye a civil death whilst I am naturally alive When the Sun for this day is set I shall then cease from having any charge over you and you will then cease from having me to be your Minister I may say as one did that was going to dye a violent death I am this day to do a work that I never yet did I desire of God to give me strength that I never yet had And having been long upon this Text shewing to every one of you your several duties and my time allotted draws nigh to an end The Lord grant that it may be spent for your eternal good that so I may dye well in this respect amongst you Those that dye well do usually these five things 1. First They must endeavour to make their peace with God 2. Secondly To be in perfect charity with all men 3. Thirdly To set their House in order 4. Fourthly To give good counsel to their surviving Friends 5. Lastly To commend them all to God by Prayer First As to my peace with God in reference to my civil life although yet naturally alive I think I may in some measure say with Saint Paul in the 20th of the Acts and the 27. verse I can give up my account with joy in reference to the discharge of my duty I having kept back nothing from you of the Councel of God having taught you publickly both in season and out of season the Oracles of God Secondly Those that dye well ought to dye in perfect charity with all men I hope I do so truly having not the least thing against any man this day I was not born a man of strife actually whatever I have been passively I have been severe against your Sins though not against your Persons I am in charity this day with every mans Person though not with their Sins I have not striven against your Persons but against your Sins and the Devil I now dye amongst you in perfect charity with all men desiring the Lord to forgive all mine enemies as I do from my soul forgive them Thirdly Those that dye well must set their house in order that is a work that should not be put off until the last gasp the house that I have to set in order is not my own but the Lords it is good to do it timely you know I have made it my work for these two Moneths past to speak to the several sorts of people in my Congregation and to shew unto every one his duty and how each particular Man and Woman ought to behave themselves both towards God and Man Fourthly Those that dye well must give good counsel to their Friends the Lord grant that the words that I have spoken and am this day to speak may be remembred and practised by you The words of dying men are usually remembred Oh! that the counsels I am now to leave with you may take such deep impression in your hearts that they may never be forgotten I shall take up the greatest part of my time with counsel unto you all and then shall conclude all with the Blessing in my Text The God of love and peace be with you all I shall begin with counsel unto you all in general and what I say to one I say to all therefore attend to the last words of a dying man First See and consider that the dayes of Grace have their last the day long threatned is now come when my preaching and your hearing can be continued no longer so will it be with all your comforts and joyes they will have an end Oh! that you had seriously considered it and prized those opportunities of Grace you have had Secondly Let us heartily bless God for so many years freedom that we have had especially these last three years in sacred Ordinances however those opportunities that we have enjoyed be flighted by man yet they must be reckoned for in the day of the Lord Jesus There have been many of late have staved off Spiritual opportunities and turned their backs upon Ordinances the Lord be merciful to them if they obtain not a pardon woe be to their poor souls I am as sure and as certain to hear these opportunities mentioned in eternity with joy and sorrow as that ever the Sun did shine in the Firmament acknowledge them thankfully and especially remember these last three years about which time I have been with you and have laboured in the publick service of the Church of God amongst you Thirdly Depart not from the truths of God you have already received I may say as St. Paul doth in the first of the Galatians and ver 9. If any preach any other doctrine let him be accursed You must excuse me for want of abilities as others may have yet hath it been my work by the help of the holy Spirit according to my power to teach you out of holy Scripture those things that concerns your everlasting peace Take heed of Antinomianisme and Arminianisme never cease a total dependance on the Grace of Christ and a strict reliance on him alone for life and salvation This hath been my Doctrine from my first beginning even until now 1 John 2.24 Fourthly Oh! let Professours study to honour God Phillippians 4. I have walked amongst you with a sense upon my spirit The Professours in this City have much dishonoured God Oh! let there be zeal sincerity love humility and peace shining in the Professours of this City This is my counsel now I am ready to depart from you that your conversations may be such as becometh the Gospel Fifthly Own God in your Families breed not up Heathens in your Families to be lodged in Hell if no Family Prayer expect no Family Blessing live as those that knows there is a God and would have God to be theirs let not thy family be under a curse which it will be if thou callest not on the name of God Hast thou no care of Childrens and Servants souls it is a sign God hath no care of thine Sixthly Remember to sanctifie the Lords Sabbath breed not up thy