A09977:130
Life eternalLife eternall
Life eternal or, A treatise of the knowledge of the divine essence and attributes Delivered in XVIII. sermons. By the late faithful and worthy minister of Jesus Christ, John Preston, D. in Divinity, chaplain in ordinary to his Majesty, master of Emmanuel College in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolns Inn.Life eternall or, A treatise of the knowledge of the divine essence and attributes Delivered in XVIII. sermons. By the late faithfull and worthy minister of Iesus Christ, Iohn Preston, D. in Divinity, chaplaine in ordinary to his Majestie, master of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolns Inne.
London: printed by Richard, 1631
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.
Answ. 2 Though the immediate cause produceth the effect; yet, who is the first cause? As for example, though folly be the cause, that such a business doth miscarry, yet who is the cause of that folly? It is sin that bringeth destruction, and doth precipitate a man thereunto; but who is it that leaveth men to their sins and lusts? You see, what was the immediate cause of the loss of Rehoboams Kingdom, the ill counsel that was given him by the young men; but who was it, that fitted the cause thereunto? was it not the Lord? So on the contrary, we see that godliness is the cause of good success, and makes men to prosper, ⟨p. 40⟩but who is the cause of that cause, is it not the Lord himself?
Answ. 2 Though the immediate cause produceth the effect; yet, who is the first cause? As for example, though folly be the cause, that such a businesse doth miscarry, yet who is the cause of that folly? It is sin that bringeth destruction, and doth precipitate a man thereunto; but who is it that leaveth men to their sins and lusts? You see, what was the immediate cause of the losse of Rehoboams Kingdome, the ill counsell that was given him by the young men; but who was it, that fitted the cause thereunto? was it not the Lord? So on the contrary, wee see that godlinesse is the cause of good successe, and makes men to prosper, ⟨p. 40⟩but who is the cause of that cause, is it not the Lord himselfe?
Object. 4 But, oftentimes it is ill with those that are good, and well with those that are wicked; the wicked prosper, many times, when it goes ill with those that fear the LORD; oftentimes it cometh to the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and contrarily. If there be a God, what is the reason that this comes to pass?
Object. 4 But, oftentimes it is ill with those that are good, and well with those that are wicked; the wicked prosper, many times, when it goes ill with those that feare the LORD; oftentimes it commeth to the wicked according to the worke of the righteous, and contrarily. If there be a God, what is the reason that this comes to passe?