A09990:831
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.
Ahab, the Lord had said he would cut him off and his posterity, though he had seventy sons; you might wonder how it should come to pass, that none of these sons should inherit the Crown, and yet all were cut off, and not a man left by the hand of Jehu. When God, I say, hath appointed variety of changes, times, and conditions to the sons of men, mans strength is not able to divert his Counsel; and therefore the battle is not to the strong, &c.
Ahab, the Lord had said he would cut him off and his posteritie, though he had seaventie sonnes; you might wonder how it should come to passe, that none of these sonnes should inherite the Crowne, and yet all were cut off, and not a man left by the hand of Iehu. When God, I say, hath appointed varietie of changes, times, and conditions to the sonnes of men, mans strength is not able to divert his Counsell; and therefore the battaile is not to the strong, &c.
The last reason is likewise here used,1 and chance cometh to them all: That is, though a man be never so able, never so sufficient, never so well prepared ⟨p. 88⟩to bring an enterprise to pass, yet some accident may turn it some other way, an accident that he can neither foresee, nor prevent; Therefore saith the holy Ghost, though he be never so wise, chance may happen to him, he can neither foresee all the accidents, that come to pass, or, if he should, he knows not how to prevent them.
The last reason is likewise here vsed,1 and chance commeth to them all: That is, though a man be never so able, never so sufficient, never so well prepared ⟨p. 88⟩