A09981:300
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.
And the first cause why the Lord doth so usually do it,1 is, When he brings afflictions on his children, he lets it run along till they may think there is no more help, nor hope, that so it may be an affliction to them; for it would not be an affliction, except it did run on to the uttermost point; for if there were any door for us to get out, we were not compassed about, but when a man hath no gap to go out at, that is it that makes the spirit of a man to sink.2 If a man were in a smoky house, and had a door open, it were no difficulty for him to shift himself out of it; but when we are shut up, that is it which makes it difficult; and that it might be so, the Lord suffers it to come to an extremity.
And the first cause why the Lord doth so usually doe it,1 is, When hee brings afflictions on his children, he lets it runne along till they may thinke there is no more helpe, nor hope, that so it may be an affliction to them; for it would not bee an affliction, except it did runne on to the uttermost point; for if there were any doore for us to get out, wee were not compassed about, but when a man hath no gap to goe out at, that is it that makes the spirit of a man to sinke.2 If a man were in a smoky house, and had a doore open, it were no difficulty for him to shift himselfe out of it; but when wee are shut up, that is it which makes it difficult; and that it might be so, the Lord suffers it to come to an extremity.
- 1Reas. 1. To make it an affliction.
- 2Simile.
Secondly,