A09990:551
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.
that is, he shall have an extraordinary manifestation of my self, he shall have such an expression of love and peace, that shall fill his heart with peace and joy, such a thing that no man knows but himself. Beloved, this is the testimony of the Spirit. I confess, it is a wondrous thing, and if there were not some Christians that did feel it, and know it, you might believe there were no such thing, that it were but a fancy or enthusiasm; but, beloved, it is certain, there are a generation of men, that know what this seal of the Lord is; ⟨p. 156⟩indeed you must remember this, to distinguish it from all fancies and delusions, this Spirit comes after you have the water and the blood, after you are believers, after you have purged your selves; and therefore if any man have such flashes of light and joy, that witness that he hath received the promise, and that he is in the Covenant, and for all this he have not the things that go before it, now thou mayest take it for a delusion; I will come and sup with him; but with whom? with him that first openeth to me. If thou open thy heart to the Lord, whensoever he knocks, and comes to thee. And so, To him that overcomes, I will give of the hidden Manna. If thou be one that art able to overcome temptations, and unruly affections, & sinful lusts, thou mayest conclude, it is a true testimony that thou ar• not deceived; but if thou be one that art overcome with every base lust, with every temptation, thou art deceived, if thou art persuaded thou art in a good estate, this is not the witness of the Spirit; for it is to him that overcomes. So again, to him that loves me, and keeps my Commandments, &c. Now if thou be one that breaks the Commandments of God, that find'st not that holy fire in thy breast, that find'st not thy heart affectioned to him, and yet thou hast these great flashes of assurance, and thinkest thy state good, beloved, you deceive your selves, whose case soever it is, the Lord hath not showed himself to thee, b•t it is a delusion, a fancy, and therefore, I say, consider it; and this is the consequent of it, ⟨p. 157⟩that he that hath it is able to pray. So I will conclude all, he is able to cry Abba Father. If thou have such an assurance of a good estate, and yet art not able to pray, thou art deceived likewise: for that is the property of the Spirit, it makes a man cry to God, and call him Father.