A10018:28
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.
Secondly, where there is ignorance there may be error; for ignorance is the cause of error, as darkness is of stumbling; for a man cannot have a perfect judgement of things, except he have a perfect knowledge of them: now the most learned Bishops that ever were, in general Councils (which is the representative Church, in all mens judgements least subject unto error) have been ignorant of many things; for even in humane things, whereof we are more capable, the wisest men have been ready to profess, that the greatest part of that they knew, was the least of that they knew not; much more in things divine, in which our eyes are like the eyes of bats and owls, unto the brightest sunshine, too weak and too angust to comprehend them: therefore their knowledge being defective, their judgement likewise must needs be so. 1. Cor. 13. 11. We know in part, saith the Apostle, therefore we prophesy in part. Aristotle could say, He that looks not round about a thing, and sees not all the parts and corners of it, can give no certain judgement of it: now who can say in divine mysteries he is able to see all things? and if he be not, he may both be deceived, and deceive.
Secondly, where there is ignorance there may bee errour; for ignorance is the cause of errour, as darkenesse is of stumbling; for a man cannot haue a perfect iudgement of things, except he haue a perfect knowledge of them: now the most learned Bishops that euer were, in generall Councels (which is the representatiue Church, in all mens iudgements least subiect unto errour) haue beene ignorant of manie things; for euen in humane things, whereof we are more capable, the wisest men have beene readie to professe, that the greatest part of that they knew, was the least of that they knew not; much more in things divine, in which our eyes are like the eyes of battes and owles, vnto the brightest sunneshine, too weake and too angust to comprehend them: therefore their knowledge beeing defective, their iudgement likewise must needes be so. 1. Cor. 13. 11. Wee know in part, saith the Apostle, therefore wee prophesie in part. Aristotle could say, He that looks not round about a thing, and sees not all the parts and corners of it, can give no certaine judgement of it: now who can say in divine mysteries hee is able to see all things? and if he be not, hee may both bee deceived, and deceive.