A09977:377
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.
5 Besides, consider what it is that troubles thee? what a man aims at, if he lose his end, that grieves him, when his work is done; if this be thy trouble that thou hast lost some credit, or profit, then thine end is thy self; but if this be thy grief, that thou hast not done it in such m•• sure, ⟨p. 151⟩that others may receive profit and advantage by it, it is a sign that thou diddest it not for thy self, but for Gods glory.
5 Besides, consider what it is that troubles thee? what a man aimes at, if he lose his end, that grieves him, when his worke is done; if this be thy trouble that thou hast lost some credit, or profit, then thine end is thy selfe; but if this be thy griefe, that thou hast not done it in such m•• sure, ⟨p. 151⟩that others may receive profit and advantage by it, it is a signe that thou diddest it not for thy selfe, but for Gods glory.
6 Besides, if a man considers what it is that doth make things pleasant, and gives amabilitie to that, which is harsh in it self. Labour in it self is sweet to no man, unless there be something in it that sweetens it: now consider what that is, if in it thy eye is upon thy wealth, that comes by it; if thou studiest hard, and if thou preachest much, and it is for the praise of men, thou seekest thy self, and thy reward is in it; but if thou lookest up to the Lord, if thou doest it, because he sees it, and knows it, and that he may say; I know thy work and thy labour; it is a sign that thy end in it, was the Lord, and not thy self.
6 Besides, if a man considers what it is that doth make things pleasant, and gives amabilitie to that, which is harsh in it selfe. Labour in it selfe is sweet to no man, unlesse there be something in it that sweetens it: now consider what that is, if in it thy eye is upon thy wealth, that comes by it; if thou studiest hard, and if thou preachest much, and it is for the praise of men, thou seekest thy selfe, and thy reward is in it; but if thou lookest up to the Lord, if thou doest it, because he sees it, and knowes it, and that he may say; I know thy worke and thy labour; it is a signe that thy end in it, was the Lord, and not thy selfe.