A09950:422
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.
To this therefore he answereth, that) she had works, or else she could not have been saved, unless she had such a work as that in sending away the Messengers, her faith could not have justified her. Indeed, that was a great work; for she adventured her life in it.
To this therfore he answereth, that) she had workes, or else she could not haue beene saued, vnlesse she had such a worke as that in sending away the Messengers, her faith could not haue justified her. Indeede, that was a great worke; for she aduentured her life in it.
And lastly, saith he, as the body, without the soul, is a dead body, a stinking carrion, there is no preciousness, nor no excellency in it; so faith without works is dead. Therefore look to your faith; do not think that a faith that merely taketh Christ, and believeth in him, that it is a faith that shall justify you. Let all these arguments persuade you, that if it be not a working faith, it shall do you no good. Therefore let this be the first Use, to consider your faith, whether it be effectual or no, by the working of it.
And lastly, saith he, as the body, without the soule, is a dead body, a stinking carrion, there is no preciousnesse, nor no excellency in it; so faith without workes is dead. Therefore looke to your faith; doe not thinke that a faith that meerely taketh Christ, and beleeueth in him, that it is a faith that shall justifie you. Let all these arguments perswade you, that if it bee not a working faith, it shall doe you no good. Therefore let this be the first Vse, to consider your faith, whether it be effectuall or no, by the working of it.