HENRICUS WILKINSONUS .

BE pleased ( Reader ) with patience to take notice of , and give Credence to this true ( though brief ) ensuing Information . As for my part , being conscious to my self of manifold Failings , ( perhaps more then others can , or will acquaint me withall ) I should have stood in more awe of a Press , then ( in such a Critical Age to have exposed even the best of my Labors to publick view : Had not some both eminently Godly and Judicious incouraged me much by their Approbation : Amongst whom the * * Dr. J. Conant . Vice-Chancellor , and * * Dr. Edw: Reynolds . Dean of Christ-Church , ( whose Judgements I highly value ) approved what now comes forth . Likewise those several Sermons which I formerly Printed in another Language , for the most part were communicated to a * Reverend and Dr. Harris , President of Trinity Coll: Oxon. Judicious Divine , lately gone to Heaven ( with whom I had intimate acquaintance , and always found a faithful Friend ) by whose Advice they were committed to the Press . For Apologies , and such like preliminary Discourses , I purposely wave as superfluous altogether .

I have often thought ( not without great detestation ) of a proud vain-glorious speech of one ( not worth the naming ) Trajectum plantavit , Lovanium rigavit , Caesar dedit Incrementum : Whereupon another made Answer , Hic Deus nihil fecit . I shall acknowledge Adwickium in Agro Eboracensi plantavit , There I was born : Oxonium rigavit , There I had the greatest part of my Education : Christus autem dedit Incrementum , The increase and blessing of all I ascribe unto Christ alone : Paul may plant , and Apollo may water , but God alone 1 Cor. 3. 6. giveth the encrease . I have read , that a Philosopher accounted it as his honor , That he was a Man , a Citizen , and lived in the time of Socrates : Much more do I account it my honor to be a Christian , and born in a Land where Christ is known : And ( through riches of Grace and Mercy ) to be born again : And to be accounted worthy ( even such a worthless Instrument as I am ) to be a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ , for whose sake to spend and be spent , I account it a far greater honor then to be the Emperor of the World : And if the Lord be pleased to make me more Instrumental to gain souls to Christ ( through Mercy I have already heard of some brought in , to my comfort ) This Mercy I shall value at a higher rate then all the Kingdoms of the World , and the glory of them . Neither may I pass by in silence ( for which I cannot be thankful enough ) Gods gracious dealings with me in my younger years at Gloc●ster , where Mr. John Workman . Mr. John Langly . the Lord blest to my soul the Ministry of a * Holy man of God , and likewise the Labors of a * Worthy School-master . Further , The Lord in mercy afforded unto me great advantages , after I was placed in Magdalen-Hall , under the Government of * * Dr. John wil●inson , Principal of Magdalen Hall 43 years . my Honored Uncle , the vigilant Principal ; one ( as I conceive ) endowed with the spirit of Government , where likewise I was well accommodated with a * * Dr. Henry wilkinson , now Cannon of Ch: Ch : Religious , Learned , and Diligent Tutor , now an eminent Professor of Divinity in this University . These I mention with thankfulness unto God : And with Pliny I conceive it , Ingenuum confiteri per quos profec●rim .

As for many of my Brethren who have more Talents entrusted to them , then my self , I envy not any of them , but heartily wish a diligent improvement of them , as remembring where much is given , much is required : For what ( through Grace is given me ) I am obliged to be thankful , and not hide in a napkin . Those Scriptures are as Frontlets before mine eyes , and frequent Monitors unto me , viz. Eccles. 9. 10. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to doe , doe it with thy might , for there is no work , nor device , nor knowledge , nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest . Joh. 9. 4. I must work the works of him that sent me , while it is day : The night cometh when no man can work . And 2 Cor. 5. 14. The love of Christ constraineth us . Upon these Principles I desire to manage all my undertakings , and act accordingly .

Now in an especial manner I present these Sermons ( as Duty and Gratitude bindes me ) to the University , before whom I Preach'd them . I cannot conceal ( what my heart is so much affected with ) but must acknowledge with all thankfulness those signal Mercies from Heaven of late extended even to a Miracle , that the Ministry , and maintenance due thereunto , the Universities and their Priviledges are yet secured and rescued from the malitious projects and attempts of unreasonable men , who cry with a Stentorean voice against an Universitie , as the children of Edom did in the day of Jerusalem , Psal. 137. 7. Rase , rase it even to the Foundation thereof : These are of John of Leydens and Wigelius his Faction , lately consuted by a * Learned Dr. Arrowsmith in Orat. Aqtiweig●l . Professor . It 's sufficiently known that men of this Leaven have an evil eye against all Schools of Learning , and therefore bespatter and calumniate them , that they may more easily make a prey of their Revenues . This was the Divelish design of Julian the Apostate to overthrow Schools of Learning , and rob them of their maintenance ; and this was a subtle Stratagem used by him to hinder the succession of Ministers : But all sober minded persons ( who have their eyes in their heads ) see , and cannot but acknowledge the singular and daily use of Publick Nurseries of Learning , Maugre all the Aspersions and out-crys of those false tongues set on Fire of Hell . From these places of Learning have come forth a Noble Army of Martyrs , viz. Cranmer , Ridley , Latimer , Hooper , Bradford , Tindall , Philpot , &c. who have resisted Popery unto Blood , and sealed unto the truth of the Protestant Religion with their own Blood .

Our Vniversity of Oxford can produce a large Catalogue of eminent Champions for the Truth , some whereof were Bradwardin , Wickliffe , Jewell , Fox , Jo: Reynolds , Hooker , Ayry , Crackenthorp , Field , Lake , Hackwell , Benefield , Bolton , Pemble , &c. Our publick Professors have been an Ornament unto that Chair , and have opposed Rome , Racovia , Munster , &c. Their Names are like precious Oyntment poured forth , leaving a sweet savour behinde them , viz. Peter Martyr , Humfred , Abbot , Holland , Prideaux , Sanderson , Hoyle : And the present Professor , ( though I conceal his name ) deserves an Honorable mention , whose Parts and Graces adorned with so great Humility , render him an useful Instrument for Publick Good .

It 's worth our Observation , That in former times still God raised up Men of Heroick Courage and Invincible Resolution , to lop off and fear the Hydra of Heresies , and defend the truth against all Gain-sayers . I shall onely make mention of some remarkable passages within my own remembrance : When that novel upstart Doctrine of Arminius , ( novel I call it ) ( unless Arminius be Pelagius redivivus , and upon that account may plead more Antiquity ) was broach'd when some ( not all ) Prelates countenanced those Tenets , and preferred those of that Perswasion to places of Preferment : How many then of the younger Students bent their Studies that way ? Insomuch as I have seen a Remonstrance of Parliament above thirty years ago , declaring , That the study of Arminianism was the ready way to preferment , and the Arminians were compared to the Jesuits . For my own observation , I have for the most part apprehended an Arminian to be compounded of a Jesuit and a formal Protestant , That so by the one he may ingratiate himself thus , by broaching pleasing Doctrines of General Redemption , Free Will , &c. And by the help of the other , he may carry on his Designs with more subtlety : It cannot be deny'd , but twenty years ago Arminians had a great Harvest in both Universities , yet in both God raised up worthy Champions , to oppose and confute all those rotten Opinions : To instance onely according to my own Personal knowledge . In this University the * Learned Professor of the Chair , stood up with Dr. Prideaux . Courage in his Lectures and Disputations against Arminianism : Dr. Twisse put forth that Learned accurate Book , called Vindiciae Gratiae , &c. Since him Dr. Kendall wrote after the same Copy : Maugre Inhibitions , Affrightments , and other dangers of those times ; yet some there were , who not afraid of the face of men , cry'd aloud against the Errors of the Time : Two or three more I shall mention . * One Preach'd upon this Text , Numb. 14. 4. And they said one unto Mr. Hodges of Excter Coll. another , Let us make a Captain and return into Egypt : In which Sermon Gravenchovius was quite beat out of the Field .

Another Preach'd on this Text , 2 Thess. 2. 10. Because they received Mr. Ford of Magdalen Hall . not the love of the truth , that they might be sav●d : He gave Arminius a deadly blow , and cry'd down Superstitious Innovations in these words , Altar , High Altars , the uncouth Language of a strange Land . These suffered Banishment , and their suffering was their Crown .

A third ( whom I heard Preach in Latine about 27 years agoe ) Mr. Croke of Br●sen-nose Colledge . charged Arminius through and through ; and in conclusion , was not afraid to call a Spade a Spade . These were ( as I well remember ) his ipsissima verba-Postremo agendum est mihi cum Jacobo Arminio qui etiamsi non ess●t Orthodoxus , utinam non esset perjurus . And in the Publick Act the same year , a worthy Doctor answered : And at another Dr. Staunton now President of C. C. C. time a Batchelour of Divinity , who both couragiously and faithfully defended this Truth against their Antagonists - Deus non est Author mali secundum Reformatorum Placita .

WHen it was told David after the defeat of Absolom , that Ahimaaz the sonne of Zadok came running , the King said , He is a good man , and cometh with good tideings . I may truly say so of these Sermons , and the reverend Author of them , He is a good man , and therefore we may be sure that he bringeth good tydings with him . He is a right Nathanael , a true Israelite , without guile , an able Preacher , a vigilant Governour , a faithfull friend , a bountifull distributer , to whom much of the Character of Aristotles magnanimous man doth exactly agree , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , who dares openly to love a friend , when others reject him , and openly to disprove the faults of those whom others feare and flatter . As is the man and his Communication , such is his doctrine , sound , wholsome , savory , edifying , not meerly notionall and suited onely to the fancy , but properly calculated for the Conscience and conversation , unto which the more any doctrine is fitted , the more it is according to the mind of the spirit of Christ speaking in the Word , and to the direction of his Apostles , who used great plainnesse of speech , and such demonstration of the Spirit and power , as might manifest the truth to every mans conscience in the sight of God , who gave instruction unto others whom they had separated to the work of the Gospell , to hold fast the wholsome forme of sound words , by sound doctrine to Exhort and Convince gainsaiers , to shew in doctrine incorruptnesse , gravity , sincerity , sound speech which cannot be condemned , to speak , to rebuke , to exhort with all Authority , to teach men to maintaine good workes for necessary uses , to preach such things as are good and profitable unto men . Though I have not had opportunity to peruse all these Sermons , yet having been an hearer of many of these , and finding in those which I have read the same even and serious spirit , and withall great variety of profitable matter , I may safely commend them to the Christian Reader as Sermons drawn according to these prescripts of the Apostle , and consequently very usefull unto publick edification , unto which all our studies , labours , and writings should be subservient .