A09950:1068
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.
Again,2 you must know this, that every holy man as he hath grace in him, and a principle of holy actions, so he hath also flesh in him, and a principle of evil actions; now that principle may sometimes prevail and get ground of him, yea it may prevail mightily sometimes, and make him do as evil actions as the worst man: For that is a true rule, a man that excelleth in grace may sometimes excel in ill doing; you must take me aright, that is, a man that hath a more impetuous spirit than another, so that none excelleth such a spirit when it is set aright, he may be as impetuous in evil-doing for a fit, for a time, when that evil principle within him shall get the better. Therefore though you see a good man sometime unlike himself for a fit, yet it is at that time when ⟨p. 196⟩the flesh prevails; for now grace though it be there, yet sometimes it is laid asleep, it is not always acted: As the Philosopher was wont to say, It is one thing to have knowledge, and another thing to use it alway; so it is with grace, sometimes the Saints do not use that grace and holiness, and hence it is that they are subject to great failings; but I say it is by fits and by accident, the constant course of their life is right, because the constant frame of their heart is right.
Againe,2 you must know this, that every holy man as hee hath grace in him, and a principle of holy actions, so he hath also flesh in him, and a principle of evill actions; now that principle may sometimes prevaile and get ground of him, yea it may prevaile mightily sometimes, and make him doe as evill actions as the worst man: For that is a true rule, a man that excelleth in grace may sometimes excell in ill doing; you must take me aright, that is, a man that hath a more impetuous spirit than another, so that none excelleth such a spirit when it is set aright, he may be as impetuous in evill-doing for a fit, for a time, when that evill principle within him shall get the better. Therefore though you see a good man sometime unlike himselfe for a fit, yet it is at that time when ⟨p. 196⟩the flesh prevailes; for now grace though it be there, yet sometimes it is laid asleepe, it is not alwayes acted: As the Philosopher was wont to say, It is one thing to have knowledge, and another thing to use it alway; so it is with grace, sometimes the Saints doe not use that grace and holinesse, and hence it is that they are subject to great failings; but I say it is by fits and by accident, the constant course of their life is right, because the constant frame of their heart is right.