A10024:191
Sins overthrow
Sins overthrow: or, A godly and learned treatise of mortification Wherein is excellently handled; first, the general doctrine of mortification: and then particularly, how to mortify fornication. Uncleanness. Evil concupiscence. Inordinate affection. and, covetousness. All being the substance of several sermons upon Colos. III. V. Mortify therefore your members, &c. Delivered by that late faithful preacher, and worthy instrument of Gods glory John Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplain in ordinary to his Majesty, master of Emanuel College in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolns-Inn.Sins overthrow: or, A godly and learned treatise of mortification Wherein is excellently handled; first, the generall doctrine of mortification: and then particularly, how to mortifie fornication. Vncleannes. Evill concupiscence. Inordinate affection. and, covetousnes. All being the substance of severall sermons upon Colos. III. V. Mortifie therefore your members, &c. Delivered by that late faithfull preacher, and worthy instrument of Gods glory Iohn Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplaine in ordinary to his Majestie, master of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolnes-Inne.
London: printed by I. Beale and Augustine Mathewes for Andrew Crooke, 1633
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.
The first Motive to move all men from earthly 1mindedness, is, because heavenly things are a better object: the desire doth not dye, but change; the affections 2and desires are but changed from earthly things to heavenly things: now every desire hath a conjunction with the things that they affect; if it be but an earthly desire, it hath a conjunction with an earthly object; so if it be an heavenly desire, it hath a conjunction with an heavenly object. Now if men did but know, or at least would be persuaded of this, it would be an excellent means to persuade men to ⟨p. 82⟩leave earthly mindedness: for what is the reason that men will not profess Religion, but because they say, then we must be crucified unto the world, and the world must be crucified unto us; that is, they must leave all their pleasure and delights. It is true, thou must be crucified unto the world, thou must leave inordinate care of earthly things, all distrusting care, which is a companion of earthly mindedness in unregenerate men; now what loss will it be unto thee, if thou have heavenly affections for earthly? Will not a man willingly part with dross for gold? A man that is recovered of a dropsy, what if a necessity be laid upon him to abstain from excess in drinking, would he not rather willingly leave his desire, than have his disease to return? So, what if thy affections be changed from earthly to heavenly things, so as thou dost feel the burden of immoderate cares cast off thee? what though a necessity be laid upon thee not to entangle thy self with the things of this world; is it not for thy souls health to keep it from a Consumption? If men would be persuaded of the benefit that comes by this heavenly mindedness, and that it were but a change of the desire; not to their loss, but their great advantage, surely they would not be so backward from getting of heavenly mindedness: therefore labour to persuade thy heart of the truth of this grace; for this doth not so tie a man from the world that he must not have any thing to do with it, but it orders a man in the world, it keeps him from all inordinate cares of the world, and all inordinate desires of earthly things, it sets all the faculties of the soul in order, and it sets the body in order: now if men did but know ⟨p. 83⟩