A09997:584
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.
Thirdly, consider that the longer God stays from afflicting of sinners; the greater and terribler 1shall the stroke be when it comes, and therefore it were better for thee, that hast no interest in Christ, that he would strike presently, then defer it longer, that so thy punishment may be the lesser: in Amos 5. saith God, I will strike at once, and I will not strike the second time, that is, when I do strike, I will strike so that I shall not need to strike the second time, and thus the Lord said unto Eli: in 1. Sam. 3. vers. 12. When I begin I will make an end, and this is the greatest punishment that the Lord can inflict against any sinner; it is as if he should have said, I will not begin to afflict them and then cease, and give them space of repentance, but I will make an end, that is, I will do it in a moment, on a sudden; I will but make one work of it, I will begin, and I will finish it in an instant, and this we ⟨p. 291⟩see the Lord did upon Hephni and Phinehas: therefore let this move you to hate sin. Thus much for this point.
Thirdly, consider that the longer God stayes from afflicting of sinners; the greater and terribler 1shall the stroke be when it comes, and therefore it were better for thee, that hast no interest in Christ, that hee would strike presently, then deferre it longer, that so thy punishment may bee the lesser: in Amos 5. saith God, I will strike at once, and I will not strike the second time, that is, when I doe strike, I will strike so that I shall not need to strike the second time, and thus the Lord said unto Eli: in 1. Sam. 3. vers. 12. When I begin I will make an end, and this is the greatest punishment that the Lord can inflict against any sinner; it is as if he should have said, I will not begin to afflict them and then cease, and give them space of repentance, but I will make an end, that is, I will doe it in a moment, on a sudden; I will but make one worke of it, I will begin, and I will finish it in an instant, and this we