A09990:98
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.
So we may say of the creature, if we thought, and did believe, that there were an emptiness in it, we would never expect so much from it as we do. But, when we complain and say, I thought to have found such and such things, and I find them not, it is a sign that we look for a fullness there; and, therefore, let us labour to correct that conceit, it will help us against those griefs & complaints, to which we are so much subject; let us look for no more in the creature then is in it. All grief and stirring of affection, ariseth from this expectation, this over-weening, this high prizing of the creature: if you find inconstancy in men; why do you look for constancy in them? they are creatures; if you look for stability in your estate, and wonder why a change should come (I was heretofore rich, and now I am poor, I was honourable, and now I am in disgrace) why didst thou expect stability in that which is subject to vanity? Things would not trouble us, if we did not expect too much from them, if we knew there were an emptiness in them; he that looks not for much from the creature, can never be much deceived: he that looks for much from God, shall be sure to have his desire answered and satisfied; he shall never fall short of his expectation. And therefore, Beloved, labour to alter your conceits that way, that whensoever any thing fall out, you may not be troubled ••it, you may not fear for that a coident, for it ariseth hence, because you looked for more in it, than was in it. It is […] saying that we have in moral ⟨p. 64⟩Philosophy, that after a man is put into expectation of any thing, then every affection is stirred more vehemently, whereas had he not had that expectation, he would have been more quiet. Therefore, if we were persuaded, and convinced of the vanity of the creature, and the emptiness in it, we would never expect much from it; and, if we did expect nothing, our hearts would be quieted within us, for all varieties of accidents that fall out; for, I say, it ariseth hence, that we think there is some fullness, some stability in them, we are not fully persuaded of the vanity of the creature, we think it can do good or hurt. You will say; Is not the creature able to do good or hurt? Beloved, I will name but one place, besides that I named before,1 1 Cor. 7. 30