A09950:986
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.
As we see in the case of Amaziah, it is said that Amaziah walked in all the ways of his father David, and of the good Kings, he did as much as they, he was as great an enemy to idolatry, he did all the duties of religion, only this was wanting, he did it not with an upright heart, that is, he did it not out of love, and therefore the Lord regarded it not. And therefore let this move you to get this affection; there is much, if I could stand to press it, that might inflame your hearts with a desire of it: only it is this love that sets a price on all that you do, that makes all that you do currant; as this stamp is set on your actions more or less, so they are more or less acceptable. This was that which set a price on the widows mite, that set a price on a cup of cold water; this set a price upon Abel's offering, and made it more acceptable than his brothers: the meanest service when it hath this stamp on it is currant and good in Gods sight, he accepts it: ⟨p. 153⟩again, the greatest performance without it, is nothing. And if thou give thy body to be burned, if thou suffer martyrdom, if thou give all thy goods to the poor; do what thou wilt without love, it is nothing, thy labour is lost: this love sets a price on all that thou doest.
As wee see in the case of Amaziah, it is said that Amaziah walked in all the wayes of his father David, and of the good Kings, hee did as much as they, hee was as great an enemie to idolatry, hee did all the duties of religion, onely this was wanting, he did it not with an upright heart, that is, he did it not out of love, and therefore the Lord regarded it not. And therefore let this move you to get this affection; there is much, if I could stand to presse it, that might inflame your hearts with a desire of it: onely it is this love that sets a price on all that you doe, that makes all that you doe currant; as this stampe is set on your actions more or lesse, so they are more or lesse acceptable. This was that which set a price on the widdowes mite, that set a price on a cup of colde water; this set a price upon Abels offering, and made it more acceptable than his brothers: the meanest service when it hath this stampe on it is currant and good in Gods sight, hee accepts it: ⟨p. 153⟩againe, the greatest performance without it, is nothing. And if thou give thy body to be burned, if thou suffer martyrdome, if thou give all thy goods to the poore; doe what thou wilt without love, it is nothing, thy labour is lost: this love sets a price on all that thou doest.