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…

Now that this humiliation is a necessary condition, will appear more apparently and fully, if we do but consider Gods dealing with men in all ages: I say, it is the course that God himself takes; first, to humble sinners. Thus he dealt with Adam, Gen. 3. 8. When he heard the voice of God, he trembled and feared: and thus he dealt with the ¹children of Israel, he shows unto them but a glimpse of his power at the delivering of the law, ²and they were much cast down. Again, this was the course that the Prophets used: when they came unto any people, you shall see they first pronounce the judgements of God against them: Thus ⟨p. 185⟩and thus saith the Lord, &c. thoroughly to humble them; and then after they preach of mercy, and the loving kindness of God, of the readiness of God, to receive those unto mercy, that are thoroughly humbled. Again, this was the course that John Baptist took, he came in the Spirit of Elijah: with sharp words pronouncing heavy judgements against those that remained impenitent: and therefore Matth. 3. 7. he calls them, O generation ³of Vipers, who hath forewarned you to fly from the wrath to come, &c. And all this to humble them, because he knew they would never receive Christ, nor prize grace till they were humbled. Again, this was the course that our Saviour took, in Joh. 4. 31. with the woman of Samaria; first he humbles her, and then he comforts her, ⁴that is, first he makes her confess that she was a sinner, and then she believed; and therefore he saith; I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance, to wit, to make them see their sins, and be humbled for them, that so they may fly unto God for mercy. Again, this was the course that the Apostle Peter took,