A09997:205
Remains of that reverend and learned divine, John Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplain in…Remaines of that reverend and learned divine, Iohn Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplaine in…
Remains of that reverend and learned divine, John Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplain in ordinary to his Majesty, master of Emanuel College in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolns-Inn Containing three excellent treatises, namely, Judas's repentance. The saints spiritual strength. Pauls conversion.Remaines of that reverend and learned divine, Iohn Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplaine in ordinary to his Majesty, master of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolnes-Inne Containing three excellent treatises, namely, Iudas's repentance. The saints spirituall strength. Pauls conversion.
London: printed by John Beale for Andrew Crooke, 1634
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.
I answer, That such a condition being simply 1in it self considered, is very miserable; because it estrangeth and draweth the heart away from God, yea, and from Christ, who is the end of Gods works, and so therefore must needs be a most heinous sin; but yet as God useth it, it is a sign, or one of the first steps to faith; and a good means to subdue and weaken the stubbornness of our hearts.
I answer, That such a condition being simply 1in it selfe considered, is very miserable; because it estrangeth and draweth the heart away from God, yea, and from Christ, who is the end of Gods works, and so therefore must needs be a most haynous sin; but yet as God useth it, it is a signe, or one of the first steps to faith; and a good meanes to subdue and weaken the stubbornnesse of our hearts.
- 1Answ.
Quest. How may we know whether God intends this for a punishment, or for a preparation of grace?
Quest. How may wee know whether God intends this for a punishment, or for a preparation of grace?
Answ. You may know it by the event; for when God doth it for the salvation of the creature, then after it there follows grace; but if it brings not grace after it, if there be only a ploughing and no harvest, the pricking with a Needle, and no thread, then it's a spark of hell fire, and the very praludium of hell.