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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.
There is a great difference between these, and the temptations of Satan, temptations (as blasphemous thoughts) are but as weeds thrown into the garden, and cast out again: but these are as weeds growing in the garden that take root there: and which though weeded out, will grow again. We must not hope or think to dry clean up the spring of original sin, but the labour returns upon us in a circle. As in our houses so in our hearts, we sweep them clean to day, and again to morrow, for then they will be foul again: therefore marvel not, if you be kept in continual labour.
There is a great difference betweene these, and the temptations of Sathan, temptations (as blasphemous thoughts) are but as weeds throwne into the garden, and cast out againe: but these are as weeds growing in the garden that take roote there: and which though weeded out, will grow againe. We must not hope or thinke to dry cleane up the spring of originall sinne, but the labour returnes upon us in a circle. As in our houses so in our hearts, we sweepe them cleane to day, and againe to morrow, for then they will be foule againe: therefore mervaile not, if you be kept in continuall labour.
Again consider this, that GOD suffers some lusts and infirmities to hang upon you to humble 1you; as he dealt with Paul: he sent that thorn in the flesh, that he might not be exalted above measure; but be kept little in his own eyes: though he cures the Ague, yet he suffers some grudgings to remain; that though we go in the way of his commandments, yet that we go halting, that we may remember the work of redemption, and be sensible of his mercy in CHRIST. Likewise he suffers such lusts to haunt •us, to make us weary of this world, as Saint Paul, who therefore desired to be dissolved and to be with CHRIST; as also that we might learn to be merciful and charitable unto others, and to pity them that have the like infirmities. And therefore though thou fallest, yet give not over striving. It is Satan's end to have us discouraged: ⟨p. 241⟩