A09990:249
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.
I say, Consider whether thou be able to do this, to let go present wages, present comforts, and commodities, & not to turn aside to them: for, if God be All-sufficient, what need is there of them? If there be enough in him, why should you step out to them? Moreover, if God be All-sufficient, why do we stick so much upon particular means, to say, if such means be not used, I shall be undone, if he be All-sufficient, it is no matter what the means be, he is able to bring it to pass. It is usual with men to say, if such a ⟨p. 167⟩thing sail me, I am undone, and if such an evil be not removed. What are these but particulars? this sticking upon particulars is a sign we think him not All-sufficient. Isa. 60. 10. See what an expression there is for matter of means, He that walks in darkness, and sees no light, let him trust in the Lord God; he that walks in darkness, and hath no light, yet, if God be All-sufficient, put the case, there be no means at all, put the case there be utter emptiness, that there be not a spark of light, but that thou walkest in darkness and seest nothing to help thee, if he be All-sufficient, trust in him, let him that hath no light, but walks in darkness, trust in the Lord: for he is then able to help him.
I say, Consider whether thou be able to doe this, to let goe present wages, present comforts, and commodities, & not to turne aside to them: for, if God be All-sufficient, what neede is there of them? If there be enough in him, why should you step out to them? Moreover, if God be All-sufficient, why doe we sticke so much vpon particular meanes, to say, if such meanes be not vsed, I shall be vndone, if he be All-sufficient, it is no matter what the meanes be, he is able to bring it to passe. It is vsuall with men to say, if such a ⟨p. 167⟩thing sayle me, I am vndone, and if such an evill be not removed. What are these but particulars? this sticking vpon particulars is a signe we thinke him not All-sufficient. Isa. 60. 10. See what an expression there is for matter of meanes, He that walkes in darkenesse, and sees no light, let him trust in the Lord God; he that walkes in darknesse, and hath no light, yet, if God be All-sufficient, put the case, there be no meanes at all, put the case there be vtter emptines, that there be not a sparke of light, but that thou walkest in darknesse and seest nothing to helpe thee, if he be All-sufficient, trust in him, let him that hath no light, but walkes in darkenesse, trust in the Lord: for he is then able to helpe him.