A09990:816
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.
Another man perhaps neglects this, but to gather in an estate, to strengthen himself that way, to bottom himself well upon a good estate, this he thinks is not subject to vanity, as other things, and this therefore his heart is set upon; though he see vanity in some other things, yet this his heart is set on; and this is enough to keep him from making it his whole duty to fear God, and keep his commandments. And thus we might go through many instances. Let every man therefore search his own heart; (for when a man makes not this his whole duty, some thing or other deceives him, a vanity that he yet seeth not.) I say, the best things be subject to vanity, if which way so ever the wise man turned himself, they were subject to vanity, it is fit we should learn then to make it our whole duty to set all our thoughts and affections upon this, how we may grow in grace, how we may fear God and keep his Commandments.
Another man perhaps neglects this, but to gather in an estate, to strengthen himselfe that way, to bottom himselfe well vpon a good estate, this he thinkes is not subject to vanitie, as other things, and this therefore his heart is set vpon; though hee see vanitie in some other things, yet this his heart is set on; and this is enough to keepe him from making it his whole dutie to feare God, and keepe his commandements. And thus we might goe through many instances. Let every man therefore search his owne heart; (for when a man makes not this his whole dutie, some thing or other deceiues him, a vanitie that hee yet seeth not.) I say, the best things be subject to vanitie, if which way so euer the wise man turned himselfe, they were subject to vanitie, it is fit we should learne then to make it our whole dutie to set all our thoughts and affections vpon this, how we may grow in grace, how wee may feare God and keepe his Commandements.
Lastly a man may by this try himself whether 1he hath done it of no. For, as Solomon when he grew wise, after his repentance, he saw a vanity in all things under the Sun: So a man when his heart is once changed, he will see a vanity in all things.