A09977:785
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.
On the contrary side, when a man doth doubt of his power, you shall see how much moment it is of. As that Prince said to Elijah, Though God should make windows in heaven, yet there could not be such a plenty, as he spake of: now the LORD was so displeased with it, that he destroyed him for it. So the Israelites did not believe that the LORD could bring them into the land of Canaan, therefore ⟨p. 201⟩the Lords anger was kindled against them for this: Psal. 78.
On the contrary side, when a man doth doubt of his power, you shall see how much moment it is of. As that Prince said to Eliah, Though God should make windowes in heaven, yet there could not be such a plenty, as hee spake of: now the LORD was so displeased with it, that he destroyed him for it. So the Israelites did not beleeve that the LORD could bring them into the land of Canaan, therefore ⟨p. 201⟩the Lords anger was kindled against them for this: Psal. 78.
But to draw this use to a conclusion. Learn to bring your hearts to this, whatsoever your case is, still to believe his power, and to be able to say still, the Lord can do it; and it is not a small matter to be able to say so. When the Churches are very low, and there is no hope, and you see little help, a man should go and pray with such cheerfulness and such hope, and confidence, as if it was the easiest thing in the world to help them; which you would do, if you did believe that GOD is Almighty. You know what the case of the Church was in Ahasuerus time, yet fasting and praying made a great change in the sudden. Nay when the Church is down, yet pray with as great hope, as if it had the best props to hold it up, for the Lord is able to raise it up again.