A09990:783
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 this I answer; That though they do live long,1 yet indeed properly they are not said to prolong their days, because that all that while they are unripe, they are not fit for death; So that they are taken before they are fitted to go hence, so they are cut off for substance indeed in the midst of their days.2 As an Apple though it hang on the tree long, yet if it be taken before it be full ripe, it may be said not to hang long on the tree, that is, it hangs not so long, as to ripen it, it is taken away in an untimely manner, it is taken away before the season of it; So it is here, though a wicked man do prolong his days, yet still he is taken away before he be ripe, before the time of gathering.
To this I answer; That though they doe liue long,1 yet indeede properly they are not said to prolong their dayes, because that all that while they are vnripe, they are not fit for death; So that they are taken before they are fitted to goe hence, so they are cut off for substance indeede in the midst of their dayes.2 As an Apple though it hang on the tree long, yet if it be taken before it be full ripe, it may be said not to hang long on the tree, that is, it hangs not so long, as to ripen it, it is taken away in an vntimely manner, it is taken away before the season of it; So it is here, though a wicked man doe prolong his dayes, yet still he is taken away before he be ripe, before the time of gathering.
- 1Answ.
- 2Wicked men die suddenly, though they live long.Wicked men die suddenly, though they liue long.