A09977:613
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.
AS we are to judge of other things by the mutability of them: so learn to judge of thy self, of thine own spirit, by that constancy that thou findest in well-doing, or that mutability and unconstancy that thou art subject to. If a man would make a censure of himself, let ⟨p. 112⟩him consider, that the nearer he comes to unchangeableness in well-doing, the better he is, and the stronger he is: again, the more mutable, the weaker. Thou art to judge of thy self, as we use to esteem of one another. Now let a man be unconstant, one that we can have no hold of, that is as fickle as the weather, that will resolve upon such a thing to day, and change his mind to morrow: what ever learning or excellency, or what kindness soever there is in this man, we regard him not, because he is an unconstant man. Now learn thou to do so with thy self, to ask thy self that question: Hast thou not had many resolutions, that never came to any endeavours? Hast thou not begun many good works, and never finished them? Hast thou not found that property of folly in thee, To begin still to live? Stultitia semper incipit vivere? If this be thy case, learn to abhor thy self for it, and to be ashamed: for all is nothing, till we come to a constant and unchangeable resolution: So that we come to set it down with our selves as an inviolable law: this is a duty, and I will do it, whatsoever it cost me; this is a sin, and I will avoid it, whatsoever come of it. This is a resolution that Daniel takes up, Dan. 1.8. He determined in his heart, that he would not be defiled with the Kings meat: and such a resolution they were exhorted to in Acts 11.23. With full purpose of heart, to cleave unto God. It is translated, full purpose: but the words are, with a decree and full resolution ⟨p. 113⟩of heart; [Greek or Hebrew]: That is, when a man doth not lightly put himself upon an holy course; but takes up a strong resolution to go through with it; such a resolution as Pauls was, Acts 20.22. he knew what bands did wait for him, as for thieves it was no matter, he was bound in the spirit, All is nothing: I care not, says he, so that I may fulfil the Ministry committed to me. Such a resolution we should have. And according as thou findest thy self able to do this, so thou shouldest judge of thy self.