A09956:39
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.
I therefore now ask thee, wouldst thou turn to God? if thou ⟨image 6⟩wouldst overcome such and such a lust of uncleanness, drunkenness, &c. be it what it will be, if thou answer no, then thou art justly condemned, thy blood be upon thy own head, but if thou sayest yes, thou wouldst, then come but to GOD, be resolute to be religious in good earnest, and I will assure thee he will vouchsafe thee power to do it.1 The Apostle saith that GOD would confirm them unto the end, that they might be blameless in the day of the Lord JESUS, for saith he, GOD is faithful, he hath said, he hath promised it, he shall break his word if he do not, let me reason it a •ittle with you, Is it not an acceptable request to go to GOD with all thy heart? and to say, Lord, I desire but the power and strength to go through with thy own work? Dost thou think he will not hear thee? Remember Christ, the only Physician, how ready he was to heal men of their bodily diseases when they came unto him, and he hath not put off his nature now: Dost thou think the power of death and resurrection were but fancies, or a notion? If not go on, and fear not, for as GOD said to Joshua, so shalt thou find him to deal with thee, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee, and so leaving what I have said to your further consideration, I come to a third: that seeing godliness is such a powerful thing, as you have seen, that therefore you take heed how you deceive your selves with fond desires and purposes, that have no power, no force in them, so as to think that they will serve the turn, no yet a few, feeble, faint endeavours. I say to men that set on religious courses without having their hearts changed, as Christ said unto his Disciples, tarry ye in the City, till ye be endued with power from on high, 2as if our Saviour Christ should have said, if ye go presently into the world, ye will not be able to go through with your works: stay therefore with fasting and prayer till you have received power from on high to carry you through, for new purposes in a man that returns to old nature, is like new wine in old vessels, they will break the vessels and be too big for your hearts:
I therefore now aske thee, wouldst thou turne to God? if thou ⟨image 6⟩