A09956:13
The deformed form of a formal professionThe deformed forme of a formall profession
The deformed form of a formal profession. Or, The description of a true and false christian either excusing, or accusing him, for his pious, or pretended conversation. Showing that there is a powerful godliness necessary to salvation, and that many have but the form, but not the power thereof. In handling whereof these three things are plainly and powerfully explained and applied. what godliness is. what the power of it. what the reasons why some have but the form thereof. together with the means, and marks, both how to attain, and to try our selves whether we have the power thereof or not. By that late faithful and worthy minister of Jesus Christ. John Preston. Doctor in divinity, chaplain in ordinary to his Majesty, master of Emmanuel College in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolns Inn.The deformed forme of a formall profession. Or, The description of a true and false christian either excusing, or accusing him, for his pious, or pretended conversation. Shewing that there is a powerfull godlynes necessary to salvation, and that many have but the forme, but not the power thereof. In handling whereof these three things are plainely and powerfully explained and applyed. what godlines is. what the power of it. what the reasons why some have but the forme thereof. together with the meanes, and marks, both how to attaine, and to try our selves whether we have the power thereof or not. By that late faithfull and worthy minister of Iesus Christ. Iohn Preston. Doctor in divinity, chaplaine in ordinary to his Maiestie, master of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolnes Inne.
Edinburgh: printed by John Wreittoun, 1632Edinburgh: printed by Iohn Wreittoun, 1632
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.
That there is a powerful godliness necessary to salvation, and that many have but ••e form, but not the power thereof. Now there be three things to be explained in opening of this doctrine, to show— what godliness is, what the power thereof is, the reasons why many have no more but the form thereof.
That there is a powerfull godlinesse necessarie to salvation, and that many have but ••e forme, but not the power thereof. Now there bee three thinges to bee explained in opening of this doctrine, to shew— what godlinesse is, what the power thereof is, the reasons why many have no more but the forme thereof.
For the first that you may the better conceive what Godliness is, I will first show you what it is not.
For the first that you may the better conceave what Godlinesse is, I will first show you what it is not.
First then it is not bare nature, but that godliness which God requireth of all men is more then so, God indeed hath commanded nature, yea even corrupt nature to bring forth many fruits of godliness, as much abstinence from pleasure, much patience, much temperance, and such like, which are all very beautiful in their own Spheres, but because they come not from GOD, nor his Spirit of sanctifying, or because they have no respect of God, therefore they are not godliness, neither doth God regard them.
First then it is not bare nature, but that godlinesse which God requireth of all men is more then so, God indeed hath commanded nature, yea even corrupt nature to bring foorth many fruits of godlinesse, as much abstinence from pleasure, much patience, much temperance, and such like, which are all very beautifull in their owne Spheares, but because they come not from GOD, nor his Spirit of sanctifying, or because they have no respect of God, therefore they are not godlynes, neither doth God regard them.