A09990:353
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.
Now, I say, when a man is so entire, that there is such truth in him, that bring him to what touch-stone you will, let him be brought to the light, he knows his works are right, he is not afraid, let God himself look into his heart, that hath pure eyes, that can search every cranny of it, to whom every thing is naked, yet he shall find him true; that is, he doth every thing, if God look to the most inward retired thoughts, he doth all in Gods fight, he approves himself to him, such a one hath a perfect hea•t▪ So much shall serve now for the opening of this to you, what it is to be a perfect man; Beloved, I will apply it very briefly.
Now, I say, when a man is so entire, that there is such truth in him, that bring him to what touch-stone you will, let him be brought to the light, he knowes his workes are right, he is not afraid, let God himselfe looke into his heart, that hath pure eyes, that can search every cra•nie of it, to whom every thing is naked, yet he shall finde him true; that is, he doth every thing, if God looke to the most inward retired thoughts, he doth all in Gods fight, he approues himselfe to him, such a one hath a perfect hea•t▪ So much shall serue now for the opening of this to you, what it is to be a perfect man; Beloved, I will apply it very briefly.
If this be perfection▪ 1now you have seen the ground why God requires it,2 and that no man can ⟨p. 236⟩be saved without it, let us make this use of it, to try our selves; let a man examine himself whether he be a perfect man, or no: you will say, how shall we do it? Indeed, my Beloved, I confess it is a hard thing to do: for men are children in understanding; and, as children are apt to be deceived with gilded things, they see the outside to be fair, they see a fair piece of gold, but they are not able to find out the base metal, that is hid within; So it is our case, for the most part, we are not able to find out this truth, whether our hearts be imperfect, and unsound, and rotten, or no: Therefore we had need of help, I will name one or two.