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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. › DoctrineTHE GOLDEN SCEPTER. › Doctrine
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.
Second rule is, consider, what it is you make your utmost end; we are now upon a point that 1admits of very narrow differences, for as we have said, a man may perform many duties, go therein as far as another, and yet lose all his labour, and all because he seeks not the Lords presence. And the trial of that lieth especially upon this, what you make your utmost end? for though the actions be good, yet if the end be your selves, or Gods glory be made by you, but as a bridge, all is lost. Now that you may not mistake here, you must 2know, there is a double end; the one of the work, the other of the workman: now the end of the work it self, may be good, even in hypocrites: the action being in it self a holy action ordinabile in se, and tending to Gods service; when yet the end of the workman is not the Lord, but himself, this difference ⟨p. 159⟩runs along through all actions. Two men that go together in the same way, may have a different journeys end, Zach. 7. he speaking both of 3the Feasts and Fasts of the Jews (two as holy duties as any other) verse 5, 6, 7. says, but did ye 4them at all to me (says God) but to return out of Captivity? So Hos. 10. 1. there was much fruit 5found in Israel, yet because they brought it forth to themselves, not to the Lord, therefore Israel is called an empty Vine. A carnal man and a regenerate man differ mainly, in this; that a carnal man, when he is to do any thing, asks what good will this bring to me? what profit, what credit shall I have by doing it? if none, he lays it a side: but a godly man (so far as he is godly) asketh this question, whether it is commanded by God? is it for his glory and advantage? When therefore thou comest to preach the Gospel or studiest, consider thine end, whether for God or no? consider also what thy end is in thy trade, or any civil action, and judge by that.