A09950:978
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.
2And besides consider this, think not with thy self, because I have not attained such a degree of holiness as another hath, therefore I have none at all, that is an evil reason that discourageth the Saints, discourageth many times those that should be encouraged, that are already within the Covenant; he looks on another, and sees he cannot reach him, he propounds to himself such a measure of grace and of holiness, and of mortification of his lusts, and he cannot come near it; and he thinks, because I cannot do this, I have no sincerity in me. Not so, there are degrees, when a man is within the door, he may go further and further, and though all may be within, yet one may be further in than another.
2And besides consider this, thinke not with thy selfe, because I have not attained such a degree of holinesse as another hath, therefore I have none at all, that is an evill reason that discourageth the Saints, discourageth many times those that should be incouraged, that are already within the Covenant; he lookes on another, and sees he cannot reach him, he propounds to himselfe such a measure of grace and of holinesse, and of mortification of his lusts, and hee cannot come neere it; and hee thinkes, because I cannot doe this, I have no sincerity in mee. Not so, there are degrees, when a man is within the doore, hee may goe further and further, and though all may be within, yet one may be further in than another.
- 2Answ.
3Besides all this, know that the Lord is faithful, he cannot deny himself, though thou fail on thy part, yet he continues the same, and renews his mercy to thee, as thou renewest thy repentance. But, to conclude this, if you would love the Lord, labour to do these three things: