A09990:606
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 14: THE FOURTEENTH SERMON.Part › Sermon 14: THE FOVRTEENTH 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.
What is the reason that Paul exceeded other men in grace?
Because there was more truth revealed to him then to other men: but still remember that I deny not, but that there may be much knowledge without grace; but this is a sure rule, there cannot be much grace without knowledge. the reason why any man is strong in grace, and able to do that which another is not able to do, that he is able to go through those troubles, and those crosses that another shrinks at, he is able to overcome those lusts that another is not able to grapple with, it is still the strength of his knowledge, that he hath more understanding of things, that he is better and more enlightened: Joh. 16. when the Apostles were to come into the world, and CHRIST tells them what entertainment they should have, they begin to be exceeding fearful, alas, what shall we do in the world, when we have such things to do? we have men to wrestle with, that shall think they shall do ⟨p. 209⟩God service when they put us in prison; •aith he, fear not, I will send my Spirit along with you, and he shall help you to work, he shall convince the world of •inne, of righteousness, and of Judgement. The meaning is this, it is true, when you come into the world, you shall find mens opinions exceeding false, you shall find Satan building up strong holds, in their deceits and errors, and their evil imaginations that they have of things; and, saith he, if you should go alone without my Spirit, truly you might besiege the City, you might use your spiritual Armour, but you should do no good; but I will send my Spirit that shall convince, (the word in the Original signifies the refuting of an opinion that men had before drunk in, and were possessed of) the end of the Spirit is to sanctify men; now what is that way that the Spirit useth to sanctify men? It is to wear out those old opinions, to confute them, to let men know they were exceedingly deceived. Alas, they did not know that they were so exceedingly sinful as they be, but when the Spirit comes, he shows them what natures they have, and what lives they have lived, they know they are other creatures then they imagined themselves to be: for the Holy Ghost refutes that opinion, and convinceth them of sin, and of judgement that is, the Spirit shall show men the beauty and the glory of sanctification, of spiritual privileges, and shall make them in love with it: