A09950:13
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.
But, as in wars, (which the Philistines knew well in putting their hope in Goliath) the chief strength of the Soldiers lieth in their Captain, so in spiritual conflicts, all a Christians strength is in Christ, and from him. For, before our conversion, we ⟨image 4⟩were of no strength: since our conversion, we are not sufficient of our selves to think a good thought. And, to work out from the Saints all self-confidence, God, by their falls teacheth them, To rejoice in the Lord Jesus, and to have no confidence in the flesh.
But, as in warres, (which the Philistines knew well in putting their hope in Goliah) the chiefe strength of the Souldiers lyeth in their Captaine, so in spirituall conflicts, all a Christians strength is in Christ, and from him. For, before our conversion, we ⟨image 4⟩were of no strength: since our conversion, we are not sufficient of our selves to think a good thought. And, to worke out from the Saints all selfe-confidence, God, by their falls teacheth them, To rejoyce in the Lord Iesus, and to have no confidence in the flesh.
Whatsoever Christ hath for us is made ours by Faith, which is the hand of the soul enriching it by receiving Christ, who is the treasure hid in the field, and with him, those unsearchable riches of grace, which are revealed and offered in the Gospel: Yea it is part of our spiritual armour. That which was fabulously spoken of the race of Giants, is truly said of a Christian, he is borne with his armour upon him;1 as soon as he is regenerate he is armed. Its called a Breast-plate, because it preserves the heart, a long, large shield, (as the word signifieth) which is useful to defend the whole man from all sorts of assaults: Which part of spiritual armour, and how it is to be managed, is declared in the former part of the ensuing Treatise, in ten Sermons.