A09990:7
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.
¶To the Reader.
IT had been much to have been desired (if it had so pleased the Father of Spirits) that this worthy man had survived the publishing of these, and other his Lectures: for then, no doubt, they would have come forth more refined, and digested; For, though there was very little or no mistake ⟨image 3⟩in taking them from his mouth, yet preaching, and writing have their several graces. Things livened by the expression of the speaker, sometimes take well, which after, upon a mature review, seem either superfluous, or flat. And we oft see men, very able to render their conceits in writing, yet not the happiest speakers.
IT had beene much to haue beene desired (if it had so pleased the Father of Spirits) that this worthy man had survived the publishing of these, and other his Lectures: for then, no doubt, they would haue come forth more refined, and digested; For, though there was very little or no mistake ⟨image 3⟩in taking them from his mouth, yet preaching, and writing haue their severall graces. Things liuened by the expression of the speaker, sometimes take well, which after, vpon a mature review, seeme eyther superfluous, or flat. And we oft see men, very able to render their conceipts in writing, yet not the happiest speakers.
Yet we, considering not so much what might have been, as what now may be for the service of the Church, thought good rather to communicate them thus, then that they should die with the Author. He was a man of an exact judgement, and quick apprehension, an acute Reasoner, active in good, choice in his notions, one who made it his chief aim to promote the cause of Christ, and the good of the Church,