A10018:26
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
THE PILLAR AND GROUND Of TRUTH.THE PILLAR AND GROVND Of TRUTH.
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.
And that this is the meaning of the place, and not that which the Papists hence deduce, namely, That the Church cannot err; may ⟨p. 8⟩appear by these reasons.
And that this is the meaning of the place, and not that which the Papists hence deduce, namely, That the Church cannot erre; may ⟨p. 8⟩appeare by these reasons.
First, not to be capable of error, is the inseparable attribute of God himself; for God and truth are terms convertible, which cannot be said of any creature; because to creatures, truth is a rule, from which they may decline; as the Carpenters hand may from the line that guides it. Truth is not of the essence of a creature, as it's of Gods, and therefore separable and distinct; as the Carpenters line, is a thing distinguished from his hand, and therefore may be separated, his hand may sometimes deviate and go awry. The decree and will of God is the rule it self, and from it self it cannot deviate or err; but the creature hath a line of rectitude, drawn to it by the Scripture, from which, though now de facto it doth not swerve, yet de possibili it may. Esa. 8. 20. To the Law and to the Testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because they have no light in them. As if one should say to a Pilot, Know that in your eye, and in your hand, there is no inseparable and inbred rule, to guide you in your course, but here is a compass for to direct you; if you look beside this, or neglect this, you will fall upon the rocks and sands: so the Lord saith to his Church, Know that in you there is no inherent self-sufficient light, but here is my word, to be a lantern to you; if you keep not your eye on this, you may err quickly, and make shipwreck of your faith.
First, not to be capable of errour, is the inseparable attribute of God himselfe; for God and truth are termes conuertible, which cannot bee said of any creature; because to creatures, truth is a rule, from which they may decline; as the Carpenters hand may from the line that guides it. Truth is not of the essence of a creature, as it's of Gods, and therefore separable and distinct; as the Carpenters line, is a thing distinguished from his hand, and therefore may be separated, his hand may sometimes deuiate and goe awry. The decree and will of God is the rule it selfe, and from it selfe it cannot deuiate or erre; but the creature hath a line of rectitude, drawne to it by the Scripture, from which, though now de facto it doth not swerue, yet de possibili it may.