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…

1. The first pretence is this, We do good as well ¹as the best, we balance our sins, we hear, we receive, we give alms, we pray; in a word, we do all things that Christians ought to do: therefore we are truly humbled, what need we more to humble our selves.

1. The first pretence is this, We do good as well ¹as the best, we ballance our sinnes, we heare, we receive, we give almes, we pray; in a word, wee doe all things that Christians ought to doe: therefore we are truly humbled, what need wee more to humble our selves.

1. 11. Deceit. Object.

To this I answer, Well, what if you do pray, ¹what if you do give alms, and hear the word, and receive the Sacrament: though these actions simply in themselves are good, yet they may be nothing worth unto thee, unless thy heart be right: yea unless thine heart be right, these actions, as they are thine, and proceed from thee, will be found sins before God, and so in stead of a blessing may bring a curse upon thee: viz. because thou usest holy things in an unholy manner to a wrong end. For if thy heart be bad, that is, estranged from God, through infidelity and unbelief, whatsoever thy heart meets withal, it makes it unrighteous, and so puts the tincture of poison upon it, because it is not Gods end, that thou aimest at, in the doing of these, but thy own end: Now it is not only the action, but the end of the ⟨p. 220⟩action that makes it acceptable and dischargeth a Christian in the performance of it. We know Silver will not go currant, though it be never so good, except the Kings stamp be upon it: now the end of the action puts the stamp on the action, and makes it go currant with God for a holy action: therefore you that brag of your actions look unto the end of your actions; for unless the end be good, the actions are but as counterfeit coin, that every man will refuse, that knows it: and you your selves will be esteemed of God, but as cozeners are of men, worthy to be put to death: though the same actions in another are acceptable to God, because the sin is taken away that poisons them. So that as a poisonsome stock turns the sweet drops of dew that falls upon it unto poison, which yet causeth other trees to be fruitful; such are unregenerate men, continuing in their old sin without repentance. Those things that are good in themselves being performed by them, are turned into poison unto them, though being performed by a holy man, they are as a sweet odour that makes him more acceptable unto God: besides, if you do but examine, you shall find that it is not so much you that do them but some noble quality in you: it is either some natural parts of learning or policy, or else some natural disposition to be kind and loving and meek, &c. nature without sanctifying, or renewing grace will bring forth such fruit: many things you know for a time will hold sent, that rather hurt then do