A09990:13
The new covenantThe nevv covenant
The new covenant, or the saints portion A treatise unfolding the all-sufficiency of God, and mans uprightness, and the covenant of grace. delivered in fourteen sermons upon Gen. 17. 1. 2. Whereunto are adjoined four sermons upon Eccles. 9.1. 2. 11. 12. By the late faithful and worthy minister of Jesus Christ John Preston. Dr. in Divinity, chaplain in ordinary to his Majesty, master of Emmanuel College in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolns Inn.The nevv covenant, or the saints portion A treatise vnfolding the all-sufficiencie of God, and mans uprightnes, and the covenant of grace. delivered in fourteene sermons vpon Gen. 17. 1. 2. Wherevnto are adioyned foure sermons vpon Eccles. 9.1. 2. 11. 12. By the late faithfull and worthie minister of Iesus Christ Iohn Preston. Dr. in Divinitie, chaplaine in ordinary to his Maiestie, maister of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolnes Inne.
London: printed by I. Dawson for Nicolas Bourne, 1629
Part › Sermon 1: OF GODS ALL-SUFFICIENCY.Part › Sermon 1: OF GODS ALL-SVFFICIENCY.
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.
OF GODS ALL-SUFFICIENCY.
OF GODS ALL-SVFFICIENCY.
GENESIS 17. 1. When Abraham was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared unto Abraham, and said unto him, I am GOD All-sufficient, walk before me, and be thou upright, or perfect.
GENESIS 17. 1. When Abraham was ninetie yeares olde and nine, the Lord appeared vnto Abraham, and sayd vnto him, I am GOD All-sufficient, walke before me, and be thou vpright, or perfect.
Because, in the performance of all the Duties of Sanctification, Sincerity is all in all, therefore I have chosen this Text, that you may not be deceived. It is true; many things are very excellent, if they be right: There is no question but the Diamond is very precious, if it be a true Diamond, but if it be false, it is nothing worth; If you take a precious Balm, you make no question of the thing, and of the excellency of it in general, all the question is, whether it be right or no, And so ⟨p. 2⟩in the graces of Gods spirit, especially, seeing they concern our salvation; It much concerns us, to know whether they be right or counterfeit; and therefore you see the condition, that God requires here of Abraham, is, that he be upright, and perfect, without hypocrisy; (so the word signifieth) walk before me without hypocrisy. Now we have rather chosen this Text than another, because sets forth the ground of all sincerity, and perfect walking with God, which is, even this apprehension well settled in the heart, that God is Allsufficient: for this is the Lords precept, Walk before me, and be thou perfect, or upright, or sincere, let it not be in hypocrisy: and this is the motive that he useth to persuade him to it, I am All-sufficient, as if he should say, if there were any defect in me, if thou didst need or couldest desire any thing that were not to be had in me, and thou mightest have it elsewhere, perhaps thy heart might be imperfect in walking towards me, thou mightest then step out from me to take in advantages elsewhere; but seeing I am All-sufficient, since I have enough in me to fulfil all thy desires, since I am every way an adequate object, that if thou lookest about, and considerest all that thy soul can wish for, thou mayest have it in me, why then shouldest thou not consecrate thy self to me alone? Why then shouldest thou be uneven in thy ways, serving me sometimes, by fits, and sometimes the creature? for there is nothing in the creature, but thou mayest find it in me, I am Allsufficient. I am All-sufficient, therefore walk before me, and be perfect.