A09990:384
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.
And the last ground of this difference between them,1 that they aim not at the utmost degree, is, because an unsound-hearted man ha•h not so much light in him, as to discover to him, to show to him the utmost degree of perfection. A man that hath but a moral light, a natural, common light, is able to see g•osse Evils, and common duties that are contrary to ⟨p. 16⟩•hem; but exactness of perfection that is required, he sees not; or, if he do discern it practised by others, yet in his judgement he disallows it, he thinks it a thing more then needs: Whereas a man that is sound-hearted, one that is perfect, he approves it, he sees an excellency in it, he admires it in others, and would fain imitate it himself: and hence is the difference, that they aim not at perfection; it is not their scope, they desire not the utmost, the highest degree of holiness; whereas a man that hath a sound heart, still he labours to add to that which is wanting, in his faith, in his love, in his obedience: and this is one difference, that he •hat is perfect, saith he, is thus minded.
And the last ground of this difference betweene them,1 that they ayme not at the vtmost degree, is, because an vnsound-hearted man ha•h not so much light in him, as to discouer to him, to shew to him the vtmost degree of perfection. A man that hath but a morall light, a naturall, common light, is able to see g•osse Euils, and common duties that are contrary to ⟨p. 16⟩•hem; but exactnesse of perfection that is required, he sees not; or, if hee doe discerne it practised by others, yet in his iudgement hee disallowes it, hee thinkes it a thing more then needs: Whereas a man that is sound-hearted, one that is perfect, hee approues it, hee sees an excellency in it, hee admires it in others, and would faine imitate it himselfe: and hence is the difference, that they ayme not at perfection; it is not their scope, they desire not the vtmost, the highest degree of holinesse; whereas a man that hath a sound heart, still he labours to adde to that which is wanting, in his faith, in his loue, in his obedience: and this is one diffeence, that he hat is perfect, saith hee, is thus minded.