A09990:91
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.
As for other creatures, if you will have a proof for it, to make it evident to you, that no creature stirs without him, consider that in Esa. 40. speaking there of the armies of the Lord; they are called the armies of the Lord, because every creature is like a Soldier that stands under his General, ready to go, ready to do, and to execute whatsoever he commands. In the 26.1 Verse, Lift up thine eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things; he brings out their Armies by number, and calls them all by their names, by the greatness of his power, and his mighty strength nothing •ayles. This is the thing I would have observed out of this place, that they are all Gods armies. Now an army consists of many particulars; take all the creatures under the cope of heaven, they are not single, you know, but there are multitudes of them, there are many Deals, many Fowls, many Fishes; saith the Lord here, I call them every one by their name. That is. He knows every one of them, notwithstanding that infinite number of them, he knows them every one: even as a Master knows every servant in his house, and can call them by their names; So, saith he, every particular creature he knows by name. It is a comfortable consideration, when you consider that there is not one of these, but the Lord knows them by name, and they are […] Instruments ⟨p. 55⟩to do either good or hurt, as it pleaseth him; the sleep that you take, the meat that you eat, the comforts that you have, whatsoever is done by any creature, all comforts come from him: But this is enough for that. But, that wherein there seems to be the greatest liberty, the greatest variety, the greatest changeableness, the minds of men, we see also is disposed by him. That is the first thing we are to show, to make this good, that the creature can neither do good nor evil; because though it do both (for that there is such a thing experience shows, that the creature doth good and hurt, and every creature sometimes comforts, and sometimes hurts and grieves, but that is at Gods disposing) and since it is an Instrument, and is in the hands of the Lord, as an Axe, or a Sword, or a Staff, and is not used, except it be at his disposing; it appears, that it is perfectly and absolutely subject to the dominion of God.