A09965:450
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.
Again, if you will satisfy your lusts, there is no end of it, ye must be always adding fuel to them, which increaseth the fire. Consider, that in this, our heart is deceitful: we being minded to continue in things, though it be but for a time, we will not easily be brought to judge aright of them afterwards, we judge not then without a bribe: and our judgements being bribed, they are then easily corrupted. Take heed therefore of Custom: this is hard to be resisted: the flesh will expect the same entertainment from us at the last, as it had the second or third time. Custom doth prejudice us much; it intends the original Corruption; it leads us captive with violence: being accustomed to any lust, know that it is hard to renounce it, because custom adds unto its strength▪ When we have judged already of a thing, we are loath to judge again. But now my Brethren, consider, if ye erred once, that will not excuse the second error: Custom is, but Vetustas erroris, the antiquity of error; Gods Spirit must be the rule of our lives: Custom is an engagement to us, to continue in those things wherein we should deny our selves: So the opinion of men, is a hinderance to Self-denial; having used such a course we will not alter it; if we do, men wonder at ⟨p. 215⟩it; this keeps men off from self-denial. Wherefore that your hearts deceive you not, remember this caution; Take heed of Custom.
Againe, if you will satisfie your lusts, there is no end of it, yee must be alwaies adding fuell to them, which increaseth the fire. Consider, that in this, our heart is deceitfull: wee being minded to continue in things, though it bee but for a time, wee will not easily be brought to judge aright of them afterwards, wee judge not then without a bribe: and our judgements being bribed, they are then easily corrupted. Take heed therefore of Custome: this is hard to be resisted: the flesh will expect the same entertainment from us at the last, as it had the second or third time. Custome doth prejudice us much; it intends the originall Corruption; it leads us captive with violence: being accustomed to any lust, know that it is hard to renounce it, because custome addes unto its strength▪ When we have judged already of a thing, we are loath to iudge againe. But now my Brethren, consider, if yee erred once, that will not excuse the second errour: Custome is, but Vetustas erroris, the antiquity of errour; Gods Spirit must bee the rule of our lives: Custome is an ingagement to us, to continue in those things wherein wee should deny our selves: So the opinion of men, is a hinderance to Selfe-deniall; having used such a course we will not alter it; if we doe, men wonder at