A09965:242
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.
Thirdly, learn from hence to judge aright of natural men;1 for all the excellency they have, yet they are but dead men; If a man be dead, we do not regard his beauty; all ⟨p. 85⟩excellencies in natural men, are but dead. It is a hinderance in the ways of God, to over-value outward excellencies, and to despise others that want these trappings: let us say, for all these excellencies, yet he is but a dead man, we know none after the flesh any more, 2 Cor. 5.16. Again for your delight in them, know that this death differs from natural death, for these dead men are active, and ready to corrupt others, they have an influence, that doth dead those, who are conversant with them, sin communicates as well as grace. Nothing so great a quench-coal, as the company of bad men: there is an operative virtue in them to quench mens zeal, as the droppings of water will quench the fire, though they cannot wholly extinguish it being once kindled.
Thirdly, learne from hence to judge aright of naturall men;1 for all the excellency they have, yet they are but dead men; If a man be dead, wee doe not regard his beauty; all ⟨p. 85⟩excellencies in naturall men, are but dead. It is a hinderance in the wayes of God, to over-valew outward excellencies, and to despise others that want these trappings: let us say, for all these excellencies, yet he is but a dead man, wee know none after the flesh any more, 2 Cor. 5.16. Againe for your delight in them, know that this death differs from naturall death, for these dead men are active, and ready to corrupt others, they have an influence, that doth dead those, who are conversant with them, sinne communicates as well as grace. Nothing so great a quench-cole, as the company of bad men: there is an operative vertue in them to quench mens zeale, as the droppings of water will quench the fire, though they cannot wholly extinguish it being once kindled.