A09990:410
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.
So likewise it is in all matters of advantage,1 and profit: the heart of an upright man saith thus; so God and the Church may be gainers, it is no matter though I be a loser; so God may have honour, and his people be saved, and the work go on, and the Gospel may have free passage, it is no matter what becomes of me. You see, this disposition was in Moses and in ⟨p. 40⟩Paul: saith Moses, Let my name be blotted out of the Book of life, let me lose all my reward and recompense, so the Church of GOD may be safe: and so Paul, though I be separate from christ, yet, so the Church of the Jews may be safe, so christ may be honoured in their worshipping of him, and cleaving fast to him, it is no matter; there is that scope in it. So likewise Acts 20. 24. there is an excellent expression,2 saith the Apostle, I pass not, my life is not dear to me, so the ministration be fulfilled, that I have received, to testify the grace of GOD: that is, though I be a loser every way; though my life be in danger and in hazard, though many other afflictions may befall me, of divers kinds, I pass not for them, so the Ministration may be fulfilled, so the Lord may be exalted, so the grace of GOD may be testified, I pass not, I heed it not, I regard it not: When another man, beloved, whose heart is not sound and upright with God, saith thus within himself, It is no matter though such a Church, though such a People, though such a Kingdom, or such a Nation perish, so I may be safe, so I may enjoy my comforts, my ease, my profit, my liberty, this in the heart of every natural man: But a man whose heart is perfect with God, still exalts him, both in matters of credit, and likewise in matter of profit and advantage.
So likewise it is in all matters of aduantage,1 and profit: the heart of an vpright man saith thus; so God and the Church may bee gainers, it is no matter though I be a loser; so God may haue honour, and his people be saued, and the worke goe on, and the Gospell may haue free passage, it is no matter what becomes of mee. You see, this disposition was in Moses and in