A09950:1063
The Breastplate of Faith and Love
The breast-plate of faith and love. A treatise, wherein the ground and exercise of faith and love, as they are set upon Christ their object, and as they are expressed in good works, is explained. / Delivered in 18 sermons upon three several texts, by the late faithful and worthy minister of Jesus Christ, John Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplain in ordinary to his Majesty, Master of Emmanuel College in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolns Inn.The breast-plate of faith and love. A treatise, wherein the ground and exercise of faith and love, as they are set upon Christ their object, and as they are expressed in good workes, is explained. / Delivered in 18 sermons upon three severall texts, by the late faithfull and worthy minister of Iesus Christ, Iohn Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplaine in ordinary to his Maiesty, Master of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolnes Inne.
London: printed by W. Jones for Nicolas Bourne, 1630London: printed by W. Iones for Nicolas Bourne, 1630
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2Secondly, in an evil and unregenerate man there may be not only knowledge, but an approbation of that which is good, they can approve that which is good, so far they may go; I do not say they can delight in it, for that is another thing, they do not love and delight in it, that is not suitable to them, yet they may approve it. Now from these two principles, to know that which is good, and to approve it, they may go so far as to purpose and desire to serve God, they may have good meanings, but yet if actions follow not, if there be not reformation in their lives, if a man deny not himself in his beloved sin, if he come not to that outward profession of holiness that is required in Scripture, and is seen in the lives of the Saints, he hath nothing to comfort himself withal; these good meanings will not serve the turn.
2Secondly, in an evill and unregenerate man there may be not onely knowledge, but an approbation of that which is good, they can approove that which is good, so farre they may goe; I doe not say they can delight in it, for that is another thing, they doe not love and delight in it, that is not sutable to them, yet they may approove it. Now from these two principles, to know that which is good, and to approove it, they may goe so farre as to purpose and desire to serve God, they may have good meanings, but yet if actions follow not, if there be not reformation in their lives, if a man deny not himselfe in his beloved sinne, if hee come not to that outward profession of holinesse that is required in Scripture, and is seene in the lives of the Saints, he hath nothing to comfort himselfe withall; these good meanings will not serve the turne.
- 2Approbation of that which is good.
For know this, though it be true as we see there may be actions where there is no sound heart, as the second and third ground brought forth a kind of fruit when there was neither of them right; hypocrites you know may go far, they may make a blaze as your comets do