A09990:695
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.
Secondly; Consider whether thou bring forth §2good fruit, that is, not only whether thou doest good actions, but whether they flow from thee, whether they grow in thine heart as naturally, as fruit grows on the tree, that flows from the sap within. When a man not only doth good works, but when he is zealous of them, it is his meat and drink to do them, when they flow from him, as water from the fountain, then he is a good man: for if the tree be good, that is, if the heart be good, a man will be as ready, and will as naturally bring forth good fruit, as the tree, the Vine, or the Figtree bring forth their fruit.
Secondly; Consider whether thou bring forth §2good fruit, that is, not onely whether thou doest good actions, but whether they flow from thee, whether they grow in thine heart as naturally, as fruit growes on the tree, that flowes from the sap within. When a man not onely doth good works, but when he is zealous of them, it is his meate and drinke to doe them, when they flow from him, as water from the fountaine, then he is a good man: for if the tree be good, that is, if the heart be good, a man will be as readie, and will as naturally bring forth good fruit, as the tree, the Vine, or the Figtree bring forth their fruit.
The third thing you shall see in the 2 Tim. 2. ⟨p. 28⟩§31vessels are said to be good, to be vessels of honour; when they are prepared to every good work; So when a man is good, and brings forth good fruit, and not only brings it forth, but if there be any occasions to put forth the goodness, that is in him, he is prepared for it, as a vessel is prepared for such a turn, for such a service. The word in the original signifieth, when a man is fashioned, as a vessel is fashioned: and the meaning of the holy Ghost is therefore to show, that then a man is good, when his heart is fitted to good works, when he knows how to go about them, whereas another bungles at them, and knows not how to do them, he is prepared for them; and therefore there needs no more, but to put him and the good work together, and he is ready to perform it.