A09965:291
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.
1Tis true, yet they strive, they never yield; they maintain a war: and this they do not only by discourse, but there is a natural instinct that puts them forwards: they may be cast back, yet they return again: they may have a sickness, that takes away sense: they may swoon and be astonished for a time, yet after they contend for life: Every evil man contends for his life: he leads his life in some lust or other, from which if he be drawn he returns again; as a thing that is lifted from the earth, will fall down to it again: he reckons the ways of God hard, and opposite to him: The wisdom of the Spirit is enmity to the flesh: neither can it be subject to the Law ⟨p. 112⟩of God, Rom. 8. it cannot but resists it. Every creature labours to maintain its being: so evil men continuing in sin, strive naturally against all that would bring them out of this life of sin: So the Saints they live a life of grace, and labour to maintain it. John. 6.68▪ Christ asking his Disciples whether they also would go away? Peter made this answer, Lord whither shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life; that is, whiles we conceive thee to be the principle and fountain of this life, we cannot depart from thee. The Saints will let go friends and life, and all for this life. Count therefore of others and judge of your selves, by contesting for this life: strive to maintain it, let all go rather than it.
1Tis true, yet they strive, they never yeeld; they maintaine a warre: and this they doe not onely by discourse, but there is a naturall instinct that puts them forwards: they may be cast backe, yet they returne againe: they may have a sickenesse, that takes away sence: they may swound and be astonished for a time, yet after they contend for life: Every evill man contends for his life: he leades his life in some lust or other, from which if he be drawne hee returnes againe; as a thing that is lifted from the earth, will fall downe to it againe: he reckons the wayes of God hard, and opposite to him: The wisedome of the Spirit is enmity to the flesh: neyther can it be subiect to the Law