A09990:525
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
Part › Sermon 12: THE TWELFTH SERMON.Part › Sermon 12: THE TVVELFTH SERMON.
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.
for when a man is thus taught, he is a Prophet, other men need not to teach him, for he is a spiritual man then, and is able to judge of all things; I say, when this government is set up, and the Law is put into his mind, when it is put into his inward parts; I say, when this is done, then he makes us Kings: for when men have so much strength within themselves, that they can guide and rule themselves▪ and walk in the way of righteousness, now they are made Kings, and such Kings the Lord makes all those that come to him. This is the first part of this Kingdom.
for when a man is thus taught, he is a Prophet, other men need not to teach him, for hee is a spirituall man then, and is able to iudge of all things; I say, when this gouernment is set vp, and the Law is put into his minde, when it is put into his inward parts; I say, when this is done, then he makes vs Kings: for when men haue so much strength within themselues, that they can guide and rule themselues▪ and walke in the way of righteousnesse, now they are made Kings, and such Kings the Lord makes all those that come to him. This is the first part of this Kingdome.
The second part is, to give us abundance of all things, to give us peace: for the Office of a King, you know, is to keep his people in peace, as it is said of Saul, he clothed them with scarlet▪ that is, he made his people to abound with wealth, and peace, and quietness: this the Lord doth likewise, and this is a part of his spiritual Kingdom. Now his Kingdom is spiritual; therefore the main work of it is to give us inward peace and joy; you may ⟨p. 135⟩have troubles in the world, but my Kingdom is not of this world, and therefore we are not so much to expect an outward worldly peace, though we have likewise a promise of that, but in me you shall have inward peace, saith he, the Kingdom of God is in righteousness, that is the first part, when God works righteousness, as I have named before, the second is peace, and joy, so that that is a part of the Covenant, GOD, promised inward peace and joy; beloved, when you want it, know it is a part of the Covenant, you may go to GOD, and beseech him to fill your hearts with this peace that passeth understanding, and with this joy which is unspeakable, and glorious; go, and beseech him to enrich your hearts with those spiritual riches that belong to salvation, this is a part of his Kingdom, and that which he hath promised to us: now this is not all, but likewise an outward peace he promiseth, he hath promised we shall be heirs of all things, all things are yours, he hath promised outward riches, we are heirs of all the world; so that it is likewise a part of his Covenant, when a man wants any outward comfort, any outward help, any blessings, or deliverance, he may go to Christ, that is the King of all Kings, as he is Lord of all things, as he himself is heir of all things, and beseech him to grant it unto him: for it is a part of his Covenant.