A09990:810
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.
Again that which gives a substance, that which gives a filling to the creature, that which causeth it to give down that milk of comfort, that is in it, is the blessing of God upon it, when God shall say to such a creature, go and do such a man good; it is the blessing which doth it immediately, but grace is the cause of the blessing. Therefore, let us look on sin, as the cause of all this vanity, and on grace, as the cause of the contrary, let us labour to excel in the one, and to resist the other. So much for this first use.
Againe that which giues a substance, that which giues a filling to the creature, that which causeth it to giue downe that milke of comfort, that is in it, is the blessing of God vpon it, when God shall say to such a creature, goe and doe such a man good; it is the blessing which doth it immediatly, but grace is the cause of the blessing. Therefore, let vs looke on sinne, as the cause of all this vanitie, and on grace, as the cause of the contrary, let vs labour to excell in the one, and to resist the other. So much for this first vse.
Secondly,1 if there be such a vanity in all things under the Sun, 2then surely he that hath brought this vanity upon them must needs be much more vainie. For what causeth this vanity, that ⟨p. 76⟩lieth upon the whole face of the creature? is it not man? it came not upon the creature, as you know, for its own sake, but by man; why then surely man, that hath bin the cause of all this vanity, must needs be himself much more vain. Therefore, if a man look upon himself, let him consider this, that he shall never find any happiness within his own compass, or circle; If he will needs build himself upon his own bottom, he is subject to vanity, and more then any other creature besides, therefore let us learn to go out of our selves, and seek it else-where.