A09990:184
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 4: THE FOURTH SERMON.Part › Sermon 4: THE FOVRTH SERMON.
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.
My Beloved, 1if you look upon other men, or your selves, you shall see experience enough of §1this. Look upon David, or Paul, upon Solomon, Lot, 2and Noah, and all the Saints, so long as God was with them, how strong were they? Their strength was like the strength of Sampson: but when the Lord withdrew himself, we see what base lusts they fell into; what lusts was David given up unto? Also Solomon, and Peter, and Lot. All this the Lord hath done, even for this purpose, that they might learn to know that All-sufficiency is in him, and not in them. Therefore, when thou lookest on any Saint of God that excels in grace, and goes beyond thee, think thus with thy self; it is ⟨p. 125⟩not because this man is stronger then I, but because the Lord hath done more for him, he hath bestowed more grace upon him: he that hath done this to him, is he not able to do it to thee? He that is so strong, if the Lord withdraw his hand, thou feest what he is. And therefore comfort thy self with this, that he is able to strengthen thee. Think again with thy self, how thou hast found §2him at other times.3 My Beloved, there is great strength in this, even when thou art at the worst, to keep life in the root of grace; in the Winter time it is a mighty power of God, if we look on the works of nature, to keep life in the Plants, when they seem to be dead, that the hardness, and coldness of Winter take not away the life of them: So it is no less All-sufficiency, and almighty power of God, to keep the life of grace in our greatest falls, and temptations, to keep life in David, and Solomon, that it should spring again when the spring time was come. Again, who is it that restrained thy lusts before? who is it that hath given thee any ability to think those good thoughts, to do those good things? thou hadst not power in thy self, all was from the Lord. Therefore, if he have an All-sufficiency in him, as he is All-sufficient to forgive sins; so likewise, he is All-sufficient to sanctify thee. Be not discouraged then: Let not a man think with himself, oh, I shall never overcome it, I shall never be able to be so exact in the ways of righteousness, as I ought to be; Remember God is All-sufficient. Our endeavour must be to make our harts perfect,