A09990:504
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.
First, though there were nothing but faith,§1 yet that believing brings with it, and works sanctification, and holiness of life: for whereas you might object, May a man believe this promise, and yet walk according to the lusts of his own ignorance, and so to be made partaker of the Covenant? Let him, if he can believe truly, and do this, but it is impossible, let him believe, and the other will follow. Behold Abraham himself, (to give you an instance of it) he believed GOD, and it was accounted to him for righteousness; I say, it was enough for him to believe GOD: For that draws after it inherent righteousness of sanctification, and holiness of life: for, saith the Text, Rom. 4. Abraham is said to believe GOD, when he said he should have a son, he gave him glory, that is the ground, which ⟨p. 116⟩draws with it all other graces, after this manner; he that believes GOD, hath a good opinion of him, he loves him; he that loves him, must needs be full of good works. Besides, he that believes him, when GOD shall say to him, I am thy exceeding great reward, see that thou keep close to me, thou shalt have an eye upon me, and walk with me from day to day. Let a man believe that GOD is all-sufficient, that he will be a Sun and a Shield to him, and his exceeding great reward, he will be ready to do it. Abraham did so, when God called him from his Fathers house, and from his kindred, he was ready to do so; when GOD would have him to offer up his only son, he was ready to do it: for he believed GOD, he believed his promise, and his ability, and willingness to help him; he believed his Almighty power, and therefore whatsoever GOD bid him do, he would do it; he preferred GOD before his own ease, before his own profit, before his only son whom he loved: Let any man believe as Abraham did, and of necessity it will produce good works; let a man believe truly, and truth of belief will bring forth truth of holiness: and therefore we hear what S. James saith, Jam. 2. saith he▪ Abraham was justified by faith; it is true: but, saith he, Abraham's faith had works joined with it: for it was not a dead, a counterfeit faith, but a true faith, and being a true faith, you see, Abraham had ⟨p. 117⟩