A09950:1095
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.
Besides, it is the common faith, therefore every man hath interest in it;1 do not say therefore, what have I to do, it belongs to these and these men to look after it: it is the common faith, and every man hath part in it, and should contend according to his place and power, and within his sphere; and remember it is a matter of much moment, for every part of the faith or little matter of faith (I speak now of the whole doctrine of faith) that you should be exceeding exact in keeping of it, that it receive no detriment, especially in matter of opinion.2 For my brethren, you must know, that it were better there should be great offences committed in the land, great and ⟨p. 213⟩notorious crimes, then that there should be any loss in the matter of faith, because where the opinions of men are set wrong, that is a principle that carries them still on. Great fins come from great passions, and men are able to see them, and when the passion is gone over,3 they are easily recalled again; but errors in opinion are matters of great moment, therefore it belongs to every one to look to it, to us that are Preachers in our places, to Magistrates in their places, to every man to contend for the common Faith: and know this my brethren, that their are certain opportunities which the Lord gives you, and you must take heed of neglecting them, it may be to let a thing go some times, it will never be recovered again. Therefore look that you be diligent in it, stir up your selves to do it, while there is occasion offered. In other things, men are apt to be men of action, they would have employment, and work that they may be some body in the world, and it is very well, there is something in that, it is a nobleness of disposition so to do; but alas, what poor and weak reward have you for that? it may be a little vainglory, it may be some applause from Princes or people, it may be some empty airy preferment. To do the will of the Lord, the work he hath given you to do, it is no matter what it is for, a servant must not choose his work; I say whatsoever it is, though in never so mean a thing, the greatest excellency is to do his will that makes us Kings and Princes to him that makes us partakers of the Royal blood, as ⟨p. 214⟩