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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 double way to get the heart turned away 1from sin, the one to see the loathsomeness of that which we turn from, the other the beauty of the contrary object we turn to. Spend not all your pains about the first, but do something in the later; the more contrition the better. But it is not got all at once, it is more increased by assurance and hope of pardon, when a man begins to have hope he purifies himself. So it is in all other exercises; ⟨p. 246⟩it is hope quickens our endeavours. One that is not near a kingdom, goes not about it: but when he comes to have hopes, he begins to bestirre himself, tolle spem, & tolle conatum, therefore get and increase the hope of the pardon of your sins. Hence the Apostle, Rom. 15. 13. prays, Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, through believing &c. 2By the words following, it appears to be to strengthen and set them right concerning all their infirmities: and he points to this as one means, to be filled with joy and peace in believing; as if he had said, if your hearts were full of spiritual joy through faith and assurance, your hearts would be purified, and therefore faith also is said to purify the heart; and besides, when the blood of Christ is applied by faith, there goes a virtue with it. Heb. 9. 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through 3the eternal spirit offered up himself to God, purge your consciences from dead works? And add to this sanctification, set upon that work. Joh. 17. Christ hath prayed, that they might be preserved from the evil of the world.
There is a double way to get the heart turned away 1from sinne, the one to see the loathsomnesse of that which we turne from, the other the beauty of the contrary object wee turne to. Spend not all your paines about the first, but do something in the later; the more contrition the better. But it is not got all at once, it is more increased by assurance and hope of pardon, when a man begins to have hope he purifies himselfe. So it is in all other exercises;