A09950:821
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.
And now what will you say for your selves, that you speak no more upon those several occasions that you meet withal in the world? is it because you are ashamed, because you are bashful, and fearful to express your selves, and to make an open profession of that holiness that is in your hearts? Certainly it is a sign that you love not the Lord Jesus: for he that loveth, is never ashamed; because, whom a man loveth, he magnifieth, he prizeth much, he hath a high esteem of: and therefore that bashfulness and fearfulness that you object, will not keep you back, if you did love the Lord in truth and sincerity. ⟨p. 77⟩Or else, why is it that you speak of him no more? is it because you cannot speak? is it because your understandings are weak and dull? because you are not able to do it as well as others, and therefore you are loath to express your selves?
And now what will you say for your selves, that you speake no more upon those severall occasions that you meete withall in the world? is it because you are ashamed, because you are bashfull, and fearefull to expresse your selves, and to make an open profession of that holinesse that is in your hearts? Certainly it is a signe that you love not the Lord Iesus: for hee that loveth, is never ashamed; because, whom a man loveth, he magnifieth, hee prizeth much, hee hath a high esteeme of: and therefore that bashfulnesse and fearfulnesse that you object, will not keepe you backe, if you did love the Lord in truth and sincerity. ⟨p. 77⟩Or else, why is it that you speake of him no more? is it because you cannot speake? is it because your understandings are weake and dull? because you are not able to doe it as well as others, and therefore you are loath to expresse your selves?
You know, when you love any, that love will teach you to speak, it will quicken the dullest wit and invention; love sharpeneth, and maketh the rudest tongue eloquent. It is the nature of love to set the heart on work, and when the heart is set on work, the tongue will be as the pen of a ready writer. You know how the Apostle sets it forth, Our heart is enlarged to you: love openeth the heart wide, and the heart openeth the tongue wide: therefore if you love the Lord much, you will be much in speaking of him. Consider therefore what your speeches are concerning God, whether you your selves are ready to speak much, and to delight to hear others speak also? whether you be glad of any occasion, as those that love are glad to hear those that they love to be spoken of?