A09981:105
A lifeless lifeA liveles life
A lifeless life: or, Mans spiritual death in sin Wherein is both learnedly and profitably handled these four doctrines the spiritual death in sin. The doctrine of humiliation. Mercy to be found in Christ. Continuance in sin, dangerous. Being the substance of several sermons upon Ephes. 2. 1,2,3. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins, &c. Whereunto is annexed a profitable sermon at Lincolns Inn, on Gen. XXII. XIV. Delivered by that late faithful preacher, and worthy instrument of Gods glory, John Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplain in ordinary to his Majesty, master of Emanuel College in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolns-Inn.A liveles life: or, Mans spirituall death in sinne Wherein is both learnedly and profitably handled these foure doctrines the spirituall death in sinne. The doctrine of humiliation. Mercy to be found in Christ. Continuance in sinne, dangerous. Being the substance of severall sermons upon Ephes. 2. 1,2,3. And you hath he quickned, who were dead in trespasses and sins, &c. Whereunto is annexed a profitable sermon at Lincolnes Inne, on Gen. XXII. XIV. Delivered by that late faithful preacher, and worthy instrument of Gods glory, Iohn Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplaine in ordinary to his Maiesty, master of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolnes-Inne.
London: printed by I. Beale for Andrew Crooke, 1633
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.
or else you shall save your own souls. Without you thus pray, you are guilty of the Churches destruction: The horsemen, if they stand still, although they fight ⟨p. 38⟩not against their own army, yet are guilty of their destruction, because they should have fought for them. The Praetor, if he let the enemies in the gate, he is the destroyer of the City, because he should have kept them out: so the Saints, which should stand in the breach, if they pray not, they destroy the land: So God says, Ezek. 22. 30, 31. And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none: therefore have I poured out again indignation upon them, I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God. Because he could not find a man to stand in the gap, therefore he poured forth his indignation on the land. Their not praying destroys the land: The Saints and holy Prophets are the Chariots and horse-men of Israel; if then they stand still, they do what in them lies to destroy the whole Nation: they are not only the Chariots, but the horsemen also; they are the whole defence of Israel; and therefore if at these times they be idle, they are guilty of the destruction of the whole Church. Hence Solomon said, An idle man is brother to him that is a great waster. As a Pilot, who for want of attention suffers a Ship to be overthrown, or split against the rocks, is guilty of the loss thereof: So the Prophet Samuel, notwithstanding the people had sinned a great sin in forsaking God to be their King, saith, 1 Sam. 12. 23. God forbid that I ⟨p. 39⟩should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: and therefore it is a great sin not to pray for Gods Church. The Jews in the captivity were commanded to pray for the peace of Nebuchadnezzar, who was an heathen Prince; how much more then ought we to pray for Christian Princes? And surely, if God should take away from you this Prince, and give you such an one as Queen Mary, you would then know what it is to enjoy such a Prince, as now by Gods mercy we do. Therefore stir up your selves to the duty by fasting and praying, much may you do this way. Ester delivered all the Jews by this means: it was not Esters word that did it;