A09981:248
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.
It is the continuance in sin that makes thee the in estate of condemnation: if it be a known sin a man falls into, yet if he continue not therein, this is no argument against him, for the godliest man upon occasion may fall, but such a man is not himself. Hence is that saying, He was not himself when he did it: But as for those that make a common trade of sinning, they cannot say, but that they are themselves in the committing thereof. In the godly, as Paul said, Rom. 7. 17. Now, then, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. It is not they, but sin that still remaineth in them: yet the sin, though it be in them after their regeneration, yet it hath no possession as it had before. Take heed therefore, that although thou hast the same occasions offered thee as before thou haddest, yet thou dost not continue in it, but totally abstain therefrom, ⟨p. 89⟩for a wicked man may a great while, even, a whole year, abstain from some sin, and yet be said to lie in it, because, that if he had the same occasions offered as before he had, he would have committed the same sin as before he did. Let every man therefore look back unto his own heart, and consider with himself, whether he is not the same man he was; some had their delight in covetousness, some in pleasure, some in preferment, some in credit, examine now your selves, and see whether thou dost not delight in the same things still; see if thou dost not continue still in them, and commit them usually, and so judge of it accordingly.
It is the continuance in sin that makes thee the in estate of condemnation: if it be a knowne sin a man fals into, yet if he continue not therin, this is no argument against him, for the godliest man upon occasion may fall, but such a man is not himselfe. Hence is that saying, He was not himselfe when hee did it: But as for those that make a common trade of sinning, they cannot say, but that they are themselves in the cōmitting thereof. In the godly, as Paul said, Rom. 7. 17. Now, then, it is no more I that do it, but sinne that dwelleth in mee. It is not they, but sinne that still remaineth in them: yet the sinne, though it be in them after their regeneration, yet it hath no possession as it had before. Take heed therefore, that although thou hast the same occasions offered thee as before thou haddest, yet thou dost not continue in it, but totally absteine therefrom,