A09950:1094
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.
So again, let us not say we must be moderate, for what is that moderation? Indeed the moderation that keepeth from actions,1 wherein is excess, is good; but if you mean by moderation to go a slow and easy pace in the ways of God, that is coldness, idleness, carelessness, there is no excess in any good way. Therefore that is your work now to contend for the Faith, that is, for all the points of faith, for every jot of that is precious:2 saith the Apostle Jude, it is but once delivered to the Saints, as if he should say, it is too precious a treasure oft to be dispensed, it was but once delivered to the world: if Christ did mean to come again, and renew the Articles of our faith, we might be more remiss and negligent, for if we did loose them he might restore them again, but they are but once delivered, therefore your care must be to keep them the better.
So againe, let us not say we must be moderate, for what is that moderation? Indeed the moderation that keepeth from actions,1 wherein is excesse, is good; but if you meane by moderation to goe a slow and easie pace in the wayes of God, that is coldnes, idlenesse, carelesnesse, there is no excesse in any good way. Therefore that is your worke now to contend for the Faith, that is, for all the points of faith, for every jott of that is precious:2 saith the Apostle Iude, it is but once delivered to the Saints, as if he should say, it is too precious a treasure oft to bee despenced, it was but once delivered to the world: if Christ did meane to come againe, and renewe the Articles of our faith, we might be more remisse and negligent, for if we did loose them he might restore them againe, but they are but once delivered, therefore your care must be to keepe them the better.
- 1Moderation.
- 2The faith once delivered.