A09981:235
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.
I answer,1 they have so, and though they do not walk after them, yet they are not the better for that, for God judgeth according to the inward heart, he judgeth according to the heaven we aim at in our own hearts, he feeth the secret bent of the heart which way it is; it may seem contrary to the eyes of men, but he judgeth not according to the outward appearance, but he judgeth with righteous judgement.
I answer,1 they have so, and though they doe not walke after them, yet they are not the better for that, for God judgeth according to the inward heart, he judgeth according to the heaven we aime at in our owne hearts, he feeth the secret bent of the heart which way it is; it may seeme contrary to the eyes of men, but hee judgeth not according to the outward appearance, but hee judgeth with righteous judgement.
- 1Answ.
The third reason is,1 because, that whosoever lieth in any known sin,2 is an hypocrite, and no hypocrite can be saved, though he doth other things never so well; for such an one hangeth not like the sprig, but like a bough that is almost rent off the olive tree, which can never prosper. If he did but a little, and yet did it in sincerity, it would be accepted, whereas, while he doth much,3 yet in hypocrisy, God regardeth it not. This I find by comparing these two places together. 2 Cron. 25. 2. And 2 Cron. 15. 17. In the first place it is said, that Amazia did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart, and therefore God rejected him: the meaning is, that he was not throughout perfect, but had some secret sin in him, therefore God rejected him.