A09990:211
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
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.
But now this is but the simple expression of vanity; Let us consider (for what can we do better since we are upon this argument) what arguments the holy Ghost useth to persuade us of this truth, that there is nothing but emptiness in the Creature. My Beloved, I beseech you, hearken to it: for all of us think there is too much in the Creature, we should not seek it as we do, our thoughts and affections should not be so much stirred about it as they are, if we did not think there were something in it. I say, consider the arguments which the holy Ghost useth, I will but name the places in brief to you, you may read them in these two Chapters at your leisure, it will much help to bring them to your memory. First, saith the holy Ghost, there is nothing but vanity: for, saith the Wise man, when I look upon the whole universe, upon the whole frame of things, this I find; first, a great instability in them, one generation cometh, and another goeth, the Sun riseth, and the Sun setteth, there is nothing constant under the Sun. Now the happiness of a man, that which will give content to a man, it must be some stable thing: for a man cannot rest but upon some Centre, upon some place, where his soul may find some quiet, and ⟨p. 144⟩therefore an unstable thing, that is in continual passage, is not able to give it rest.
But now this is but the simple expression of vanitie; Let vs consider (for what can we doe better since we are vpon this argument) what arguments the holy Ghost vseth to perswade vs of this truth, that there is nothing but emptinesse in the Creature. My Beloved, I beseech you, harken to it: for all of vs thinke there is too much in the Creature, we should not seeke it as we doe, our thoughts and affections should not be so much stirred about it as they are, if wee did not thinke there were something in it. I say, consider the arguments which the holy Ghost vseth, I will but name the places in briefe to you, you may reade them in these two Chapters at your leasure, it will much helpe to bring them to your memory. First, sayth the holy Ghost, there is nothing but vanitie: for, sayth the Wiseman, when I looke vpon the whole universe, vpon the whole frame of things, this I finde; first, a great instabilitie in them, one generation commeth, and another goeth, the Sunne riseth, and the Sunne setteth, there is nothing constant vnder the Sunne. Now the happinesse of a man, that which will giue content to a man, it must be some stable thing: for a man cannot rest but vpon some Center, vpon some place, where his soule may finde some quiet, and