A10024:289
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.
To this I answer, Gods decree concerning salvation 1and damnation must be admired at, not pried into: ⟨p. 140⟩what though God in his mercy hath saved others, must he also therefore save thee, that wilt not repent, but presumest on his mercies? he calls sometimes those which have been many degrees worse than others, whom he hath passed by, and that to show his power of the Potter over the pot-sheard: but what is this to thee? look thou to thy self; use the means, come unto him by true repentance, and cleanse thy self from thy filthiness, and thou shalt be sure to find mercy.
To this I answer, Gods decree concerning salvation 1and damnation must be admired at, not pryed into: ⟨p. 140⟩what though God in his mercy hath saved others, must he also therefore save thee, that wilt not repent, but pres•mest on his mercies? he cals sometimes those which have beene many degrees worse than others, whom he hath passed by, and that to shew his power of the Potter over the pot-sheard: but what is this to thee? looke thou to thy selfe; use the meanes, come unto him by true repentance, and cleanse thy selfe from thy filthinesse, and thou shalt bee sure to finde mercy.
- 1Answ.
The second Use to be made hereof, shall be to persuade every one, not only to cease from the act 1of so filthy a sin, but also to mortify these corruptions, which are the source and fountain from whence these all unclean actions come: There may be a restraining of our lusts and corruptions, but it is but for a time, it will break forth again; or perhaps there may be an abhorrency and contrariety of one mans nature from this sin, but this is not out of any hatred to the sin it self, but a forbearance of the act, because his nature cannot abide it, or for some other by-respect, as credit and reputation amongst men; but this is not to mortify them: for mortification is then true and perfect, when there is a contrary life; that is, when a man that before was unchaste, now if his lusts be mortified, he lives quite contrary to that, and is now wholly chaste and undefiled: now this cannot rightly be said to be in a man where there is but only a restraint of his lusts. As in a tree, it is in vain to cut off the top-boughs, so to kill it; unless the roots be plucked up, it will grow