A09990:252
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.
Then I will believe, that thou hast seen God in his greatness, I will believe that thou hast seen him in his All-sufficiency, that he hath represented himself by his spirit into thy soul, in some measure, when thou seest these effects in thy soul, when thou seest thy ignorance, and thy vileness, when thou seest what an empty Creature thou art, sure this is another thing, by which thou mayst judge, whether thou hast experience, whether thou hast practised this doctrine, that we have delivered of the All-sufficiency of God, and of the emptiness of the Creature.
Then I will beleeue, that thou hast seene God in his greatnes, I will beleeue that thou hast seene him in his All-sufficiency, that he hath represented himselfe by his spirit into thy soule, in some measure, when thou seest these effects in thy soule, when thou seest thy ignorance, and thy vilenes, when thou seest what an emptie Creature thou art, sure this is another thing, by which thou mayst judge, whether thou hast experience, whether thou hast practised this doctrine, that we haue delivered of the All-sufficiencie of God, and of the emptines of the Creature.
Moreover, if God be All-sufficient, why are §4we then so ready to knock at other mens doors? Why are we then so ready to go to the Creature, to seek help, and comfort, and counsel ⟨p. 170⟩from it, and to knock so little at his door by prayer, and seeking to him? for, if he be All-sufficient, thou shouldst be abundant in prayer, thou wouldst take little time to look to others, thy chief business would be to look to him, not only in praying to him, but in serving him, and pleasing him: We knock at his door as well by the duties of obedience, as by prayer, and seeking to him; if thou thinkest him to be All-sufficient, why dost thou not do this?
Moreover, if God be All-sufficient, why are §4