A09990:389
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.
but to whom was it? to their corn, to their oil, and not to the most high: they returned, and were very devout to keep the Fast, ready to hear, but against me they rebelled. The meaning of it is this, the Jews returned to the Lord, they were careful to please him, but it was because they desired freedom from the Famine, and War, and other Calamities▪ and therefore they served the Lord, but they did not lay hold on God himself, upon the graces and comforts of the Spirit, upon eternal life, these were not the things they did inwardly respect; and therefore, God himself they loved not, to him they did not return, (as you shall see, because I will use that expression of laying hold upon God, and upon eternal life, 1 Tim. 6.1) when the Apostle Paul had spoken there of divers ⟨p. 23⟩men that were contentious, he puts these two properties together; they are exceeding contentious, and covetous, they reckon gain godliness; but thou, saith he, do not so; but fight the good fight of faith: do not contend with such a kind of contention, and in such a manner as they do: and again, saith he, when they lay hold on wealth and preferment, and such advantages, do thou lay hold upon eternal life. I say, this was the case of the Jews, they laid hold of such benefits as a carnal man is capable of, such as indeed they conceived to come from the Lords hand only, and therefore they returned unto him; but they did not lay hold upon God himself, upon eternal life, upon the spiritual privileges and promises of grace, and therefore they returned to him but feignedly; that is, they did not seek the face of God, that which is required,2 2 Chron. 7. 14. If my People humble themselves, and seek my face: that is, seek my presence; this they did not: Now with those that have sound hearts it is not so, but they seek the Lord himself; they are thus minded, that if they may have the Lord himself, though they be stripped of all things else, they do not much heed it; though they pass through evil report, though they lose their estates, though they be put in what condition they can be, yet they are content to have the Lord above for their portion, for they look on him as an exceeding great reward: as long as they may have his love, as long as they may