A09965:323
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.
1To this I answer; that this will not hinder them, but they shall be done the better, as oiling of the wheels makes them go the better. Psal: 1.2. he is said to be blessed, that doth meditate in the Law of God day and night. Your knowledge being brought to action helps you much; often hearing of the word, which puts you in remembrance, adds to your life, though it hinders you in other things. Those who have not the word to hear, live not under preaching Ministers, who will not be at the cost to get them, or live where they are not, are much to blame, and live not this life.2 Simon Magus sinned, in thinking that the holy Ghost might be bought with money; do not they also sin, who do less than he? that will not give money for to have the Gospel brought unto them? There is the like fault, when as men may have the word, and come not to it. If they come to it, though it addeth not to their knowledge, yet it helpeth their acting and life. Those who neglect the constant reading of the word, who are not constant in private prayer, those who neglect the speaking and talking of good things, they neglect this life. That Arabian proverb, Shut up the five windows, that the house may be full of light, will be of good use here: that is, ⟨p. 135⟩the five senses being shut up, the fuller of light shall we be: the not stopping up of them, makes men ignorant, cares and businesses possessing mens minds, there is no room left for better things. Let your minds be still plodding on that which may further you in grace and truth. It is ignorance that makes men strangers from the life of God, Ephe. 4.18. and this is not an ignorance that proceedeth from want of knowledge, but from the badness of your hearts; Hard hearts make men ignorant: why do men hear and yet are ignorant, but because their hearts are hardened? 3they regard not the word, and so they grow not in knowledge.
1To this I answer; that this will not hinder them, but they shall be done the better, as oyling of the wheeles makes them goe the better. Psal: 1.2. hee is said to be blessed, that doth meditate in the Law of God day and night. Your knowledge being brought to action helpes you much; often hearing of the word, which puts you in remembrance, addes to your life, though it hinders you in other things. Those who have not the word to heare, live not under preaching Ministers, who will not be at the cost to get them, or live where they are not, are much to blame, and live not this life.