A10018:158
Sermons preached before his MajestySermons preached before his Maiestie
Sermons preached before his Majesty; and upon other special occasions viz. 1 The pillar and ground of truth. 2 The new life. 3 A sensible demonstration of the Deity. 4 Exact walking. 5 Samuel's support of sorrowful sinners. 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.Sermons preached before his Maiestie; and vpon other speciall occasions viz. 1 The pillar and ground of truth. 2 The new life. 3 A sensible demonstration of the Deity. 4 Exact walking. 5 Samuels support of sorrowfull sinners. By the late faithfull and worthy minister of Iesus Christ, Iohn Preston Dr. in Diuinity, chaplaine in ordinary to his Maiesty, master of Emmanuel College in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolnes Inne.
London: printed by Eliot's Court Press and R. Young for Leonard Greene of Cambridge, 1630
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.
It is a true rule, when the evil day cometh, its time of spending, and not of gathering, it must be done before; it is too late to fetch the oil when we should use it, to go and buy when the Bridegroom cometh; therefore they are called foolish Virgins, because folly is improvident, it stands in the valley, and sees not the evil afore it be upon us: wisdom stands upon a hill and descries the danger, and the evils that are afar off, before they approach. Its certain, (give me leave to speak, for we are the watchmen which stand upon the watch-tower, and should see more than those that stand below; and must give warning, that we may deliver our own souls, left your blood be required at our hands) I say, its certain that evil is intended against us, and will come upon us, except something be done to prevent it. For there is a covenant between God and us, and breach of covenant causeth a quarrel; the quarrel of God shall not go unrevenged: he saith to the Israelites, Levit. 26. 25. I will send a sword upon you, which shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant; As if he should say, There is a covenant, and you have broke that covenant, & therefore I have a quarrel, and I will send a sword to avenge my quarrel. Now the quarrels of God are not rash and passionate as mens are, & therefore he will not lay them aside without some true & real satisfaction.
It is a true rule, when the evill day commeth, its time of spending, and not of gathering, it must be done before; it is too late to fetch the oyle when we should use it, to go and buy when the Bridegroome commeth; therefore they are called foolish Virgins, because folly is improvident, it stands in the valley, and sees not the evil afore it bee upon us: wisedome stands upon a hill and descryes the danger, and the evils that are afar off, before they approach. Its certaine, (give me leave to speake, for wee are the watchmen which stand upon the watch-tower, and should see more than those that stand below; and must give warning, that we may deliver our owne soules, left your blood be required at our hands) I say, its certaine that evill is intended against us, and will come upon us, except something be done to prevent it. For there is a covenant betweene God and us, and breach of covenant causeth a quarrell; the quarrell of God shal not go unrevenged: he saith to the Israelites, Levit. 26. 25. I will send a sword upon you, which shall avenge the quarrell of my covenant; As if he should say, There is a covenant, and you have broke that covenant, & therefore I have a quarrell, and I will send a sword to avenge my quarrell. Now the quarrels of God are not rash and passionate as mens are, & therfore he wil not lay them aside without some true & real satisfaction.