A09965:148
Four godly and learned treatises Entitled, I. A remedy against covetousness. II. An elegant…Foure godly and learned treatises Intituled, I. A remedy against covetousnesse. II. An elegant…
Four godly and learned treatises Entitled, I. A remedy against covetousness. II. An elegant and lively description of spiritual death and life. III. The doctrine of self-denial. IV. Upon the sacrament of the Lords Supper. Delivered in sundry sermons, by that late famous preacher, and worthy instrument of Gods glory, John Preston, Doctor of Divinity, chaplain in ordinary to his Majesty; master of Emanuel College, and sometime preacher of Lincolns Inn.Foure godly and learned treatises Intituled, I. A remedy against covetousnesse. II. An elegant and lively description of spirituall death and life. III. The doctrine of selfe-deniall. IV. Vpon the sacrament of the Lords Supper. Delivered in sundry sermons, by that late famous preacher, and worthy instrument of Gods glory, Iohn Preston, Doctor of Divinitie, chaplaine in ordinarie to his Majestie; master of Emanuel Colledge, and sometime preacher of Lincolnes Inne.
London: printed by Thomas for Michael Sparke, 1633
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.
In these words we may consider these parts.
First, the subject on which Christ doth exercise his Divinity; and that is, on dead men; The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and shall live. Secondly, the instrument by which he doth it, and that is, by his Word; which is not meant only the bare preaching and hearing of the Word; but such an inward, commanding, powerful, operative word, that makes men do that which is commanded them: Such a word was spoken to Lazarus being dead, Lazarus come forth; and he did it. This word commands men, and makes them to obey it.
First, the subject on which Christ doth exercise his Divinitie; and that is, on dead men; The dead shall heare the voyce of the Sonne of God, and shall live. Secondly, the instrument by which he doth it, and that is, by his Word; which is not meant onely the bare preaching and hearing of the Word; but such an inward, commanding, powerfull, operative word, that makes men doe that which is commanded them: Such a word was spoken to Lazarus being dead, Lazarus come forth; and he did it. This word commands men, and makes them to obey it.
Thirdly, the time when he will exercise his divinity; the hour is coming, and now is; that is, the time shall come when as it shall be abundantly revealed, the fruit of the Gospel shall appear more plentifully and fully hereafter, but yet it is now beginning to appear; there is now some small fruit of it. §4Lastly, It is affirmed with an asseveration or oath; Verily Verily I say unto you: And these are the parts of this Text.
Thirdly, the time when he will exercise his divinity; the houre is comming, and now is; that is, the time shall come when as it shall bee abundantly revealed, the fruit of the Gospell shall appeare more plentifully and fully hereafter, but yet it is now beginning to appeare; there is now some small fruit of it.