A09990:330
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 answer;1 They are not perfect in degrees: for they must have a time of ripening; but that which ⟨p. 216⟩wants any part of perfection, though it be ripened, when it wants the root, and principle, when the frame, and first disposition is not right, let it grow up never so fast, it will never be perfect: So this is true of the works of Redemption, of the works of God in a mans heart, of destroying the works of Satan, and setting up a new building, which is the work of Jesus Christ, and the end, for which he came; I say, this is true of it, it is perfect, it wants only growth: As, you may say, it is a perfect seed, when it is ripe, it will be a perfect flower; or it is a perfect plant, when it grows up, it will be a perfect tree, it is perfect in all respects. Such a perfection is in the works of Redemption, and, if the heart of man be not entire, if the work of grace be not throughout, if there be a defect in the principle, and constitution of it, there should be a defect in the works of Redemption, that cannot be.
I answer;1 They are not perfect in degrees: for they must haue a time of ripening; but that which ⟨p. 216⟩wants any part of perfectiō, though it be ripened, when it wants the roote, and principle, when the frame, and first disposition is not right, let it grow vp never so fast, it will never be perfect: So this is true of the workes of Redemption, of the works of God in a mans heart, of destroying the workes of Sathan, and setting vp a new building, which is the worke of Iesus Christ, and the end, for which he came; I say, this is true of it, it is perfect, it wants onely growth: As, you may say, it is a perfect seed, when it is ripe, it will be a perfect flower; or it is a perfect plant, when it growes vp, it will be a perfect tree, it is perfect in all respects. Such a perfection is in the workes of Redemption, and, if the heart of man be not entire, if the worke of grace be not throughout, if there be a defect in the principle, and constitution of it, there should be a defect in the workes of Redemption, that cannot be.