A09950:801
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.
A greater work of mercy than these external works that appear so glorious in the eyes of ⟨p. 62⟩men: to have blessed opportunities, and not to use them, because we have straight hands and narrow hearts, is a sign we want love to Christ.
A greater worke of mercy than these externall workes that appeare so glorious in the eyes of ⟨p. 62⟩men: to have blessed opportunities, and not to use them, because wee have straight hands and narrow hearts, is a signe we want love to Christ.
In the passages of your life there is many a case, that if you were of a bountiful disposition, you might do much good in. You know what Paul saith, which was a great testimony of his love, Acts 20.24.1 My life (saith he) is not dear unto me, so I may do any thing for Jesus Christ, so I may fulfil the course of my Ministry. So examine your selves whether you can say thus upon any occasion; so that I may do any good, so that I may help forward any good cause that may tend to the glory of God, my life is not dear unto me, my liberty is not dear, my estate is not dear, my friends are not dear to me. You that have to do in government, many cases there are, wherein if you will do any special good, you must part with something of your own; God looks to you and sees what you do, and how your hearts stand affected in all these passages, ask your selves now whether these things be not dear to you: if there were love in you, it will cause you to do more than you do. It was Davids great wisdom, when water was brought to him that was purchased at so dear a rate, when so high a price was set upon it, he would not drink it himself, but poured it forth to the Lord; and therein he showed the greatness of his love, that he was willing to part with that which he so exceedingly longed for, which was bought at such a rate.