A09990:844
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;1 The Lord doth it so much the rather,§3 when men grow in confidence of their own strength, that he might manifest his own providence, and therefore he puts in many accidents, which turn things another way. It is true, my Beloved, when men go well prepared to the battle, and do overcome, there is a providence of God in that, as well as when they get the battle by some chance, or accident; but by reason of the infirmity of man, by reason of the injudiciousness that he is subject unto, they do not so much acknowledge this providence in an ordinary course, as they do in accidental things, that are done by occasion, by sudden intercurrent causes, that we are not able to fore-see. Therefore, I say, God delights to do it so much the rather, when men are prepared, and say with themselves, what should hinder me? What should keep me from bringing such an enterprise to pass? God therefore puts in some accident, and turns it another way, that his providence might be seen and acknowledged. The Conclusion is, let none boast themselves, that this and this I will do, because I am strong, ⟨p. 94⟩for God will turn all a contrary way. So much for the first use.
Againe;1 The Lord doth it so much the rather,§3 when men grow in confidence of their owne strength, that he might manifest his owne providence, and therefore he puts in many accidents, which turne things another way. It is true, my Beloved, when men goe well prepared to the battaile, and doe overcome, there is a providence of God in that, as well as when they get the battaile by some chance, or accident; but by reason of the infirmitie of man, by reason of the iniudiciousnes that he is subject vnto, they doe not so much acknowledge this providence in an ordinary course, as they doe in accidentall things, that are done by occasion, by sudden intercurrent causes, that wee are not able to fore-see. Therefore, I say, God delights to doe it so much the rather, when men are prepared, and say with themselues, what should hinder me? What should keepe me from bringing such an enterprise to passe? God therefore puts in some accident, and turnes it another way, that his providence might be seene and acknowledged. The Conclusion is, let none boast themselues, that this and this I will doe, because I am strong,