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The golden sceptre held forth to the humble With the Churches dignityThe golden scepter held forth to the humble VVith the Churches dignitie
The golden sceptre held forth to the humble With the Churches dignity by her marriage. And the Churches duty in her carriage. In three treatises. The former delivered in sundry sermons in Cambridge, for the weekly fasts, 1625. The two latter in Lincolns Inn. By the late learned and reverend divine, John Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplain in ordinary to His Majesty, Mr. of Emanuel College in Cambridge, and sometime preacher at Lincolns Inn.The golden scepter held forth to the humble VVith the Churches dignitie by her marriage. And the Churches dutie in her carriage. In three treatises. The former delivered in sundry sermons in Cambridge, for the weekely fasts, 1625. The two latter in Lincolnes Inne. By the late learned and reverend divine, Iohn Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplaine in ordinary to His Maiesty, Mr. of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and somtime preacher at Lincolnes Inne.
London: printed by R. Badger for N. Bourne, 1638
THE GOLDEN SCEPTRE. › Doctrine 4THE GOLDEN SCEPTER. › Doctrine 4
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.
As the resolution to do it, so all his ability to go through with it; for being joined to CHRIST, there comes the spirit of grace (called the virtue of CHRISTS death, because it works a virtue like unto his death) into the heart: But when the heart is not yet in this manner broken, many take up purposes and good desires, but are not able to keep them, because they were bottomed on their own strength; whereas if the heart were broken from it self and engrafted into CHRIST, such purposes made in his strength would thrive and grow there: For if the soil be made good, and fit plants be planted in it, it is certain they will thrive. Now in a good heart those desires that be planted there do thrive, and wither no more, and though there may now and then waves arise, and so they may be tossed to and fro; yet substantially they do not wither nor fall from the foundation: Those therefore who have begun a good course for a year or 1a month, and go not on in it, it is a sign they want humbling: He that is truly humbled, falls back no more: Manasseh did not, nor Saint Paul, Lord what wilt thou have me do, said he then? and he was as good as his word. Therefore take knowledge you that do fall away, what the defect hath been and wherein: for that will be a means to set you right and recover you again.
As the resolution to doe it, so all his ability to goe through with it; for being joyned to CHRIST, there comes the spirit of grace (cal'd the vertue of CHRISTS death, because it workes a vertue like unto his death) into the heart: But when the heart is not yet in this manner broken, many take up purposes and good desires, but are not able to keepe them, because they were bottomed on their owne strength; whereas if the heart were broken from it selfe and engrafted into CHRIST, such purposes made in his strength would thrive and grow there: For if the soile bee made good, and fit plants bee planted in it, it is certaine they will thrive. Now in a good heart those desires that bee planted there doe thrive, and wither no more, and though there may now and then waves arise, and so they may be tossed to and fro; yet substantially they doe not wither nor fall from the foundation: Those therefore who have begun a good course for a yeare or 1a moneth, and go not on in it, it is a signe they want humbling: Hee that is truly humbled, falles backe no more: Manasses did not, nor Saint Paul, Lord what wilt thou have mee doe, said hee then? and hee was as good as his word. Therefore take knowledge you that doe fall away, what the defect hath beene and wherein: for that will bee a meanes to set you right and recover you againe.