A10024:293
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.
Thirdly, examine your s•lves, and see whether your abstaining and keeping your selves from the acting of 1this sin be general and constant, or respecting some places or persons, and but for a short space: this is an effect of the former; for he that hates a thing, hates every thing that belongs unto it, and that continually: this is a sure mark and never fails. Ye may see it in other things; a Dove is afraid of any feather 2that hath been an Hawk's, it brings a great deal of terror unto her, almost as much as if the Hawk her self were there; such a native dread is implanted in the poor Dove, as it detests and abhors the very sight of a feather; so the godly man that hath once conceived a detestation against his lusts, endures not any thing that belongs to them, that comes from them. He that hates a Serpent, cannot abide the skin, though it be never so finely speckled; so, true hatred unto sin, cannot endure motion or inclination unto it, though it bring never so fair pretences and shows, it suffers not the least spark to kindle or increase, as wanton speeches, lascivious looks, &c. A sore that is healed at the bottom, is not easily hurt again, whereas if it be but skinned at top it is never the better, for in a little time it will break forth again, and be worse than ever: A bone broken and well set again, is stronger than it was before: so a man that hath once slipped into this sin, and is got out of it again, shall find his strength to be increased, and himself more enabled to resist that temptation than ever he was.
Thirdly, examine your s•lves, and see whether your abstaining and keeping your selves from the acting of 1this sinne be generall and constant, or respecting some places or persons, and but for a short space: this is an effect of the former; for hee that hates a thing, hates every thing that belongs unto it, and that continually: this is a sure marke and never failes. Yee may see it in other things; a Dove is afraid of any feather 2that hath beene an Hawkes, it brings a great deale of terror unto her, almost as much as if the Hawke her selfe were there; such a native dread is implanted in the poore Dove, as it detests and abhorres the very sight of a feather; so the godly man that hath once conceived a detestation against his lusts, endures not any thing that belongs to them, that comes from them. He that hates a Serpent, cannot abide the skin, though it be never so finely speckled; so, true hatred unto sinne, cannot endure motion or inclination unto it, though it bring never so faire pretences and shewes, it suffers not the least sparke to kindle or increase, as wanton speeches, lascivious lookes, &c. A sore that is healed at the bottome, is not easily hurt again, wheras if it be but skinned at top it is never the better, for in a little time it will breake forth againe, and be worse than ever: A bone broken and well set againe, is stronger than it was before: so a man that hath once slipped into this sinne, and is got out of it againe, shall finde his strength to bee encreased, and himselfe more enabled to resist that temptation than ever he was.