A09977:475
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.
If thou seest one that hath a vain and idle spirit, that cannot study, that cannot pray, that cannot choose but be carried away by an unruly lust to this or that thing, believe it, this is a greater judgement than all the diseases in the world, than all shame and disgrace, that we account so much of, than poverty and crosses: as it is the greatest mercy, on the other side, when a man is able to serve GOD with an upright heart, and to be sincere in all his carriage. Thus it is with men, and this thou shouldest observe in thy self also from day to day. Let us not observe so much, what accidents befall us, what good is done to us, or what crosses we have, (it is true indeed GOD is seen in all these things) but chiefly look what GOD hath done to our spirit, what composing of mind, or what turbulency of affections, or what quietness, what patience, or what impatience; and for this be chiefly humbled, or be chiefly thankful: for to take away from Christ the praise of sanctification, ⟨p. 32⟩is as much as to take away the praise of his redemption. Herein thou shalt see his love or hatred manifested to thee; his greatest judgement showed to thee, or his greatest mercies.
If thou seest one that hath a vaine and idle spirit, that cannot studie, that cannot pray, that cannot choose but be carried away by an unruly lust to this or that thing, believe it, this is a greater judgement than all the diseases in the world, than all shame and disgrace, that wee account so much of, than poverty and crosses: as it is the greatest mercy, on the other side, when a man is able to serve GOD with an upright heart, and to be sincere in all his carriage. Thus it is with men, and this thou shouldest observe in thy selfe also from day to day. Let us not observe so much, what accidents befall us, what good is done to us, or what crosses wee have, (it is true indeed GOD is seene in all these things) but chiefly looke what GOD hath done to our spirit, what composing of minde, or what turbulency of affections, or what quietnesse, what patience, or what impatience; and for this be chiefly humbled, or be chiefly thankfull: for to take away from Christ the praise of sanctification, ⟨p. 32⟩is as much as to take away the praise of his redemption. Herein thou shalt see his love or hatred manifested to thee; his greatest judgement shewed to thee, or his greatest mercies.