A09981:316
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.
Thirdly,1 the Lord doth not deliver till the time of extremity, that we may know the vanity of the creature. And see that they are but as reeds that are empty: as for example, when a man is brought to some great straight, and sees that men will forsake him in it, as the Lord will cause them to do when he will bring a man to a straight indeed, for then he will show him that there is no help in man; as when a man that is sick,2 and so far gone that no physic will do him good, but all Physicians have left him; or when a man hath some great business in hand, and nothing that he hath will effect it; and so likewise a man at Sea, when he is in such a tempest that neither rowing nor any thing else will do him good, then when men are in such cases, they come to see the vanity of the creature, and that all outward means will start aside like a broken bow; for a broken bow being drawn but a little, will hold; but if it be drawn up to the head, then it breaks in the hand of him that handles it: Even so, when the creature is put to it, then the vanity of them is seen, and that they are but as hollow reeds that are empty, and so not be trusted to.
Thirdly,1 the Lord doth not deliver till the time of extremity, that we may know the vanity of the creature. And see that they are but as reeds that are empty: as for example, when a man is brought to some great straight, and sees that men will forsake him in it, as the Lord will cause them to doe when he will bring a man to a streight indeed, for then he will shew him that there is no helpe in man; as when a man that is sicke,2 and so farre gone that no physicke will doe him good, but all Physicians have left him; or when a man hath some great businesse in hand, and nothing that he hath will effect it; and so likewise a man at Sea, when hee is in such a tempest that neither rowing nor any thing else will doe him good, then when men are in such cases, they come to see the vanity of the creature, and that all outward meanes will start aside like a broken bow; for a broken bow being drawne but a little, will hold; but if it bee drawne up to the head, then it breakes in the hand of him that handles it: Even so, when the creature is put to it, then the vanity of them is seene, and that they are but as hollow reeds that are empty, and so not bee trusted to.