A09950:636
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.
The second answer: If thou say, that GOD doth it by means; yet remember, that it is his blessing or his curse, which makes those means on which thou art fixed effectual or ineffectual. The greatest means, the fairest, the most specious, and most probable to bring things to pass; remember, that if GOD do but say to that means, prosper not, (for that is the curse, when he bids a thing wither) thou shalt not do it.
The second answer: If thou say, that GOD doth it by meanes; yet remember, that it is his blessing or his curse, which makes those meanes on which thou art fixed effectuall or ineffectuall. The greatest meanes, the fairest, the most specious, and most probable to bring things to passe; remember, that if GOD doe but say to that meanes, prosper not, (for that is the curse, when hee bids a thing wither) thou shalt not doe it.
Again, If it be weaker, if GOD say to such ⟨p. 181⟩a thing, go and do this business, it shall be able to bring it to pass: this is his blessing and his curse; you should learn to have these words, not only in your mouths, but to know the meaning of them; and not only so, but to come to the practice; to say with your selves, when things are fair and probable, Except GOD bid this do it, it shall not be effectual, if he curse it, it shall wither.
Againe, If it be weaker, if GOD say to such ⟨p. 181⟩a thing, goe and doe this businesse, it shall be able to bring it to passe: this is his blessing and his curse; you should learne to haue these words, not onely in your mouthes, but to know the meaning of them; and not onely so, but to come to the practice; to say with your selues, when things are faire and probable, Except GOD bid this doe it, it shall not be effectuall, if he curse it, it shall wither.