A09990:237
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.
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 ⟨p. 157⟩and see not, that they have ears and hear not. So, I say, when a man will so enjoy these things, that he can find contentment in them, that he can terminate his comfort in them; let him know this, that is an argument, that he is made like to them, that the curse of God is come upon him, or else, it may be, because thou hast not summed up thy accounts, thou hast not looked back upon them, as Solomon did, thou hast not yet run through the course of them; if thou hast full experience of them, and the end of them, as he had, thou wouldst find them vanity, and vexation of spirit. So much for the first, the emptiness and vanity of the Creature.