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A Coal from the altar,
to kindle the holy fire of Zeale.

In a Sermon preached at a generall Visitation at Ipswich.

By Sam ward Bach. of Divinity.

The third Edition, corrected and much amended.

[Greek:  Theo kai humin]

LONDON,

Printed by E.G. for Joyce Macham, widow; and are to bee sold in
Pauls Church yard, at the signe of Time, 1628

To my reverend Friend Mr. Samuel ward.

Sir, your Sermon which I copied partly from your mouth, and partly from your notes, I have adventured into the light; encouraged by the approbation, and earnest entreaty of such, whose judgements you reverence, and whose love you embrace:  who also have made bolde heere and there to varie some things, not of any great consequence, if I can judge.  I was loth to smoother such fire in my brest; but to vent it, to enflame others.  If you shall blame me, I know others will thanke mee.  What I have done, is out of Zeale to God and his Church.

Your affectionate friend,

Ambrose Wood.

Revel. 3. 19. Be zealous.

[Sidenote:  Mat. 24. 12.]

[Sidenote:  1 Kin. 1. 1.]

This watch-word of Christ, if it be not now a word in season, I know not when ever it was, or will bee:  Would he now vouchsafe to bestow a letter upon his Church heere on earth; should hee need to alter the tenour of this? which being the last, to the last of the seaven Churches, why may it not (saith an Ancient, upon this text) typifie the estate of the last Age of his Churches? the coldnesse whereof himselfe hath expressely foretolde.  And if God should now send through he earth such surveying Angels as Zacharie mentions, chapter 1.  Could they returne any other observation of their travailes then theirs; The whole world lies in lukewarmnesse? which makes mee often in my thoughts proportion these ends of time, to the like period of Davids age, when no cloathes were enough to keepe heare in him. Faith I grant is a more radicall, vitall, and necessary grace; but yet not so wholly out of grace with the times, as poore Zeale; which yet if by any meanes it might once againe be reduced into favour and practice, before Time sets, and bee no more; I doubt not but Christ would also yet once againe in this evening of the world, come and Sup with us; A favour including all other in it.

[Sidenote:  2]