TO THE MOST REVEREND FATHER IN GOD, GEORGE, LORD ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, PRIMATE OF ALL ENGLAND AND METROPOLITAN: TO THE REVEREND LORDS THE BISHOPS: AND TO THE WHOLE FLOURISHING CLERGY OF ENGLAND, ESPECIALLY THAT OF THE PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY, GATHERED TOGETHER IN THE CONVOCATION AT LONDON: BEFORE WHOM THIS MEAN SERMON WAS DELIVERED; J. H. THE LEAST OF all the servants of the church, HUMBLY DEDICATES THIS HIS POOR AND UNWORTHY LABOUR. IN æde Pauli, déque Pauli oraculis, Reliquisque nostri fratribus Cleri dari. Audin', Josephe? Nolo jam: te nil peto. LAMBETHE, Feb. 21, 1623, sic approbavit THOMAS GOADUS, s. t. d. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MY SINGULAR GOOD LORD, EDWARD, LORD DENNY, BARON OF WALTHAM, ALL HEALTH AND HAPPINESS. RIGHT HONOURABLE : I MIGHT well perceive by the Author, that this Sermon was never intended to be published in any other language, than that, wherein it was first spoken; being, in respect of the matter, in a sort appropriate to that Auditory wherein it was delivered. But, besides the common desire of many, finding the translation attempted by divers, and performed by some in such a manner as did not altogether satisfy; it pleased my Father herein to improve my leisure: wherein, howsoever I may have somewhat failed of the first elegancy, yet I have not been far short of the sense. I have presumed to dedicate the same to your Lordship, in respect of your many favours and my obligations; for which, besides this officious though unequal requital, I shall still vow my prayers for your Lordship, and remain, Your Lordship's Most humbly devoted, ROBERT HALL, COLUMBA NOÆ. QUOD felix faustumque ac sacræ huic Reipublicæ salutare sit, convenistis huc, Reverendissime Domine Archiepiscope, Episcopi Reverendi, Venerabiles Decani, Archidiaconi, Compresbyteri, jussu auspicatissimi Regis, Sanctam hodie Synodum, cum Deo, habituri. Salutat vos ore meo B. ille Paulus, cujus titulo superbit hæc antiqua moles; quasique præsens, presentes compellat simul, et hortatur, Prioris ad CORINTHIOS duodecimo; versu quarto. Διαιρέσεις δὲ χαρισμάτων, &c. Sunt autem distinctiones donorum; sed idem Spiritus: distinctiones ministeriorum sunt; sed idem Dominus; distinctiones operationum; sed idem Deus. Convenistis in VIDETE pulchram hanc rerum ἀναλογίαν. unum; et hîc identitas est: convenistis frequentes ab ultimis dissitisque procul amplissimæ provinciæ oris; et hîc multiplex diversitas: convenistis flos Cleri Anglicani, cultissima Capita; et hîc dona sunt: convenistis ministrorum cum Plebe Principes; et hîc ministeriorum diversitas: convenistis ad sacra Ecclesiæ negotia peragenda; et hîc operationes sunt: convenistis spiritu, quod spero ac precor, uno; et hîc idem Spiritus est : convenistis, denique Domino Deo vos, vestraque dona, ministeria, operationes dicaturi; hîc Dominus, hîc Deus est. Idem verò ille Deus, idem Dominus Jesus Christus, idem Spiritus Sanctus, præsto nobis esse velit hodiè; sacraque huic cœtui, divinis afflatibus, præsit præsideatque; consiliaque nostra ac studia universa dirigat ducatque foeliciter ad æterni nominis sui gloriam, animarum nostrarum salutem, certam denique Ecclesiæ suæ ædificationem, per Jesum Christum, &c! En vobis, Honorandi Præsules vosque Symmista Venerandi, fibulam utriusque mundi; mundi, inquam, utriusque Theologici: macrocosmi, Dei; microcosmi, Hominis. Ecquid est, quod æquè nostra scire interest, æque speculari? NOAH'S DOVE. Ye are here met, which I humbly wish may prove every way prosperous and happy to the Church of God, Most Reverend Father in God, Reverend Bishops, Venerable Deans, Archdeacons, Brethren of the Clergy, by the Providence of our good God, and the command of our gracious Sovereign, to hold a Holy Convocation this day. Blessed Paul, in whose name this ancient pile doth not a little pride itself, salutes you by my unworthy tongue; and, as if he were present, addresses himself to you, and exhorts you, In his former Epistle to the CORINTHIANS, the xiith There are diversities of gifts; but the same Spirit: there are diversities of ministries; but the same Lord: and there are diversities of operations; but the same God, &c. SEE, I beseech you, the meet correspondence of all things. Ye are met in one; and here is unity: ye are many of you met from the utmost parts of this large province; and here is manifold diversity: ye are met the flower of our English Clergy, learned and exquisite Divines; and here are diversities of gifts ye are met, the Lords and Commons of our sacred function; and here are diversities of ministries: ye are met for the holy affairs of the Church; and here are operations: ye are met, as I verily hope and wish, in unity of spirit; and here is one Spirit: ye are, lastly, met, to consecrate yourselves, your gifts, ministries, operations, to the service of our Lord God; and here is that Lord, that God, whom we profess to serve. Now that same God, that same Lord Jesus Christ, that same Holy Spirit, be present with us all this day; and, by his blessed influences, guide and govern this sacred meeting; and happily direct all our councils and endeavours to the glory of his own great name, the salvation of our souls, and the assured edification of his Church, through Jesus Christ! See here then, Honoured Prelates and Beloved Brethren, the loop or combination of both worlds; both the worlds of our Divinity: the greater world, God; the lesser world, Man. What is there, that can so much concern us to know, to behold? |