A09990:896
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
Part › Sermon 4: THE FOURTH SERMON.Part › Sermon 4: THE FOVRTH SERMON.
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.
Rehoboam is another example, when he consulted with the old men; They told him, that if he would serve the people at that time, they should be his servants for ever; but he followed the counsel of the young men, and you see what fell out upon this, the missing of his time; for that was the counsel that the old men gave him, if thou wilt serve them at this time, &c. As if they had s•yd, Rehoboam, thou thinkest it will be disadvantage to thee, if thou let the reins loose upon them; and ⟨p. 114⟩not restrain, and curb them in the beginning, but thou missest of thy time: There is a time for meekness, and a time for roughness; There is a time for clemency, there is a time again for severity, but this is not a time for Rehoboam to use severity, in the beginning of his Reign, therefore you see his misery was great upon him, he lost ten tribes by this means.
Rehoboam is another example, when he consulted with the olde men; They tolde him, that if he would serue the people at that time, they should be his servants for ever; but he followed the counsell of the young men, and you see what fell out vpon this, the missing of his time; for that was the counsell that the olde men gaue him, if thou wilt serue them at this time, &c. As if they had s•yd, Rehoboam, thou thinkest it will be disadvantage to thee, if thou let the raines loose vpon them; and ⟨p. 114⟩not restraine, and curbe them in the beginning, but thou missest of thy time: There is a time for meeknes, and a time for roughnes; There is a time for clemencie, there is a time againe for severitie, but this is not a time for Rehoboam to vse severitie, in the beginning of his Raigne, therefore you see his miserie was great vpon him, he lost ten tribes by this meanes.
So likewise, The people of Israel, when they sought a King for themselves, it was lawful for them to seek a King; for God had appointed from all eternity David to be their King, and if Saul had not been their King, David had been King at the same season that he was; but their error was in the time, they would have a King, when Samuel reigned over them; when God was pleased to Judge them by the hand of the Prophets, more immediately then by the hand of the King, and therefore he saith, that himself ruled over them; and therefore God tells them, because they would needs have a King now, because they would anticipate him, (they would have a King before God had appointed them a King,) therefore this curse should go with their King, he shall do thus and thus to you; he shall take your sons, and put them into his Chariots, he shall take your daughters, and make them Apothecaries, he shall take your Vineyards, and your Olive trees. Thus your King shall do to you, because you have missed your time, your misery shall be great upon you.