The arraignment of a sinner at the bar of divine justice delivered in a sermon in St. Maries Church at Oxford, March the 5. 1655 before the Right Honourable, the Judges of Assize, &c. / by Robert Wilde ...

TO THE RIGHT VVORSHIPFUL, JOHN CARTVVRIGHT of Ayno, Esq. High Sheriffe of the County of Oxford, 1655. My ever honour'd Patron.

SIR,

OF those many hundreds of Sermons, which you have heard from me, (since you pleased to call me to the work of the Gospell in your place) The lot of being published is only falne upon this single one, preach't at your Command, to the Country then under your Command. I will not adventure at an Apology for my prin∣ting it, for I look upon the presse as a common Midwife for poore folkes, as well as rich; and an advantage (not only to the grand Masters of Learning, and parts, but) to all other men, who desire a cheape, easie, and ready way of Com∣munication: Neither doth this Sermon (a Za∣cheus

rather than a Saul) come forth because it is higher by the head, or of a goodlyer Stature, or Complexion then its brethren (for no man that sees it will by its looks guesse that it was born in an University) nor doe I print it, for any thing that it hath done beyond others upon the Subject which it handles, for I am not worthy (with Ionathans Lad) to run, and gather up their Arrows; but, because the Lord pleased to blesse it with some good successe (the Reve∣rend Judges and many others being much af∣fected with it) and because I cannot (as yet) find any way of expressing my due respects to your selfe so publiquely as this.

The best word it had after it was preacht (and I never desire better) was, that it was An ho∣nest Sermon, and as it is usually said of an ho∣nest man, that he may travell all the world over, and need not feare looking any one in the face, so I hope may an honest Sermon. And, to him that shall examine this Messenger of mine, whence he comes, and whither he goes, and what is his businesse? If he say, From Ayno, with an Hue and Cry after a company of self-condemned sinners, who have broken the pri∣son of conscience, and run up and downe in

their chaines, to apprehend them; and withall makes mention of your name, and warrant for so doing, I hope it shall be neither danger, nor dishonour to you: There is never a Magistrate in England but I am sure ought, and never a good one but will assist this work of Gods word to suppresse sinne and open wickednesse.

There is a suite (I confesse) depending a∣mongst Divines about Gods Vindictive Justice, and its necessary working; and excellent plea∣ders there are on both sides: Now although this Sermon speakes on the defendants side, yet I hope its testimony shall offend none who shall consider that the chief tendency of my speech (and indeed of that point) is to the glory of Gods holinesse, Justice, and mercy, and the beating down sinne, and those slight thoughts of ungodly men concerning it: if therefore this comes into a good mans hands, he will not be the worse for reading it; if into an evill mans, he may be the better; and if into a learned mans, he will have cause to blesse God, that he can write farre better, My only request is, that when it comes into your hand, it may be accepted with the right hand, even as it is tendred.

All that I have to adde, is to acknowledge,

and to leave this with you as a testimony of my gratitude for your many favours, and of your diligent, and exemplary attendance at, and countenance of the publick Ordinances and worship of God under my Ministery: And to beg of God on your behalf, that you may flou∣rish in your spirituall estate, even as you doe in your temporall. That in your Magistracy, you may be wise, and zealous, that you may be eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame; that you may be a terrour to evill doers, and a praise to them that doe well; that the poore and op∣pressed may waite for you as the raine, and you may cause the widdowes heart to sing for joy; That in your family you may walke with a per∣fect heart, not suffering an evill doer, or wicked servant to tarry in your sight. In a word; that by an holy, and cheerfull improvement of your time, Interest, and many talents, you may glo∣rifie the great God, credit the Gospell, uphold sinking Religion, be one of those innocents, that may preserve the Island; doe good, be fruit∣full in good workes, relieve the poore, and needy (which indeed you doe more than many that make a greater noise) strengthen the hands of the Ministry, and so expresse your affection

to Learning (which I know you prize) that poor I may stand by, and more excellent pens come forth publiquely to acknowledge you, and blesse God for you, and you may be the blessed of the Lord, and your seed after you. Sir, These are, and such as these shall be the humble, and dayly prayers of

Your most willing and ready Servant in all civill and Christian Offices, Aprill 20. 1656. RO: WILDE.