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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 7THE GOLDEN SCEPTER. › Doctrine 7
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.
The second thing is the consideration of the 1terms, for there is no turning without going from one term to another; and there is no true turning, except it be from Satan, and the creature, and your own selves to God. Of this you read in Acts 26. 18. that Saint Paul was sent to open their eyes, and 2to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, &c. You see these the terms of true turning; and this is especially to be marked: for if there be no more then a turning from misery to happiness, it is not sound; for if you look upon sin, and misery, grace and happiness as in themselves without respect to God, you do but turn upon your own hinges, as axle-trees, you go but different ways to the same centre, that o there wicked men go unto, so long as you look only at the misery and the happiness of your selves alone, which is the centre of all mankind. Therefore in a true conversion, these motives are looked upon in relation to God, as thus; if I follow my ⟨p. 191⟩self and the creature, they are never able to save me; but if I apply my self to him that hath the keys of life and death, I shall be happy in him for ever: therefore henceforth I will forsake Satan and every creature, and apply my self only to the Lord. And upon this ground a man makes this resolution with himself, I will forsake Satan and subject my self to God; for he only is the author of true happiness: so that now God is made a term, to which thou turnest and appliest thy self. Hos. 7. 16. 3They returned, but not to the most High, &c. There is a turning made mention of, and one would think, in a special manner; for they fasted, they prayed, but this was no turning to God; and why? because ye have turned but from misery, and sought your own happiness, and ye have forgotten me, saith the Lord, who am the most High and only able to deliver and save you; and therefore their turning was counterfeit, not true; this will not hold, such will start aside like a broken bow.