A09990:236
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.
That is the reason he gives; And yet, saith he, there is a vanity in it, saith he, if you look upon the wisest man, and the most foolish, the same event befalls them, the same sickness, the same troubles, and vexation, the same death, as dyes the one, so dyes the other; That is; for the outward appearance of their condition there is no difference; Again, there is a forgetfulness of both, both are swept away, both pass, and are blown over, and they are even alike, the wise man as well as the fool; But, saith he, there is this difference, Wisdom is the best of all vain things under the Sun.
That is the reason he giues; And yet, sayth he, there is a vanitie in it, sayth he, if you looke vpon the wisest man, and the most foolish, the same event befals them, the same sicknesse, the same troubles, and vexation, the same death, as dyes the one, so dyes the other; That is; for the outward appearance of their condition there is no difference; Againe, there is a forgetfulnesse of both, both are swept away, both passe, and are blowne over, and they are even alike, the wiseman as well as the foole; But, sayth he, there is this difference, Wisedome is the best of all vaine things vnder the Sunne.
The second thing, that he hath found, is, that §2to enjoy them, to take the comfort, the profit, the benefit, and refreshment, that may be had ⟨p. 156⟩from all the blessings of God, that he hath given under the Sun, it is a better way, and there is less vanity in it, then to heap up still, and not to enjoy it. This I found, saith he, that this is the best way for a man, to take the present benefit, this is the wisest way, so that this be remembered, that you enjoy them with weaned affections, that you do not so enjoy them as to commit Idolatry with them: for, if you do so, indeed then there is a vanity in them; for then the Lord looks upon you with a jealous eye, as that he will destroy both the things, and the man, as a jealous man will destroy the adulterer and adulteress. There is a vanity in them then, but to enjoy them with weaned affections, this, saith he, I found to be the wisest thing under the Sun, rather then to heap up, and increase possessions, and not to enjoy them. This is that which Solomon saith. If a man say now; But I find contentment and satisfaction, though Solomon found none, I find I have a sweetness in enjoying pleasure, and mirth, and a high estate: Why, consider, if thou do, I will say but this to thee, it is an argument, that thou committest Idolatry with them, and therefore God hath made thee like to the very things themselves. You shall find the Psalmist speaking of Idols, say; They have eyes and see not, they have hands and handle not; and he adds this, they that trust in them are like to them. That is; This is the curse of God upon those that worship Idols, the Lord gives them up to as much stupidity, as is in the Idols, that, they have eyes