A09950:145
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.
Even as the Viper that was upon Pauls hand, though the nature of it was to kill presently, yet when GOD had charmed it, you see it hurt him not: so it is with sin, though it be in us, and though it hang upon us, yet the venom of it is taken away, it hurts us not, it condemns us not: thus faith, by taking away the efficacy and power of sin, it justifies ⟨p. 61⟩us, as an instrument, as a hand that takes the Pardon.
Euen as the Viper that was vpon Pauls hand, though the nature of it was to kill presently, yet when GOD had charmed it, you see it hurt him not: so it is with sinne, though it be in vs, and though it hang vpon vs, yet the venome of it is taken away, it hurts vs not, it condemnes vs not: thus faith, by taking away the efficacie and power of sinne, it iustifies ⟨p. 61⟩vs, as an instrument, as a hand that takes the Pardon.
The King, when he pardoneth a Traitor, he doth not make his Treason to be no Treason, for the act of the Treason remains still; but the taking of the Pardon makes the Traitor not to be under condemnation: So, my belo•ed, faith is that act that takes the Pardon from GOD, so that though the sin remain the same, and of its own nature is of power to bind us over to death, yet by this faith taking the Pardon from GOD, it comes to pass that it hurts us not, we are not condemned for it.
The King, when he pardoneth a Traytor, he doth not make his Treason to be no Treason, for the act of the Treason remaines still; but the taking of the Pardon makes the Traytor not to be vnder condemnation: So, my belo•ed, faith is that act that takes the Pardon from GOD, so that though the sinne remaine the same, and of its owne nature is of power to binde vs ouer to death, yet by this faith taking the Pardon from GOD, it comes to passe that it hurts vs not, wee are not condemned for it.