A09950:629
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.
In such a case, it fares with us as it did with Naaman the Assyrian; when he comes to the Prophet of GOD, he thought before-hand, that the Prophet would have spoken some words, and have healed him; but he bids him go and wash, which was a thing that he never thought of: So thou many times thinkest of these means, thou preconceivest things in thine own heart, thou thinkest thou art right, thou thinkest it must needs be done this way, thou seest no other means; but, it may be, GOD will not do it this way, but he will do it a way that thou thinkest not of.
In such a case, it fares with vs as it did with Naaman the Assyrian; when he comes to the Prophet of GOD, hee thought before-hand, that the Prophet would haue spoken some words, and haue healed him; but he bids him goe and wash, which was a thing that hee neuer thought of: So thou many times thinkest of these meanes, thou preconceiuest things in thine owne heart, thou thinkest thou art right, thou thinkest it must needes be done this way, thou seest no other meanes; but, it may be, GOD will not doe it this way, but he will doe it a way that thou thinkest not of.
So Joseph, when he was in favour with Pharaoh his Steward, one would think, that this should have been the means of Josephs advancement, and of bringing to pass that promise; but this was not the means that GOD used.
So Ioseph, when hee was in fauour with Pharoah his Steward, one would thinke, that this should haue beene the meanes of Iosephs aduancement, and of bringing to passe that promise; but this was not the meanes that GOD vsed.
Again, when that Pharaoh his chief Butler was delivered, one would think that that should have been the means to have wrought his exaltation; but yet these were not, there fell a means that Joseph thought not on and so GOD doth daily.