A10027:26
A sermon of spiritual life and death Preached before the king, at White-Hal, November,…A sermon of spirituall life and death Preached before the king, at White-Hal, Nouember,…
A sermon of spiritual life and death Preached before the king, at White-Hal, November, 1616 by the late faithful minister of Jesus Christ, John Preston, Dr. In Divinity, chaplain in ordinar[y] to his majesty, Mr. of Emmanuel College in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher at Lincolns Inn.A sermon of spirituall life and death Preached before the king, at White-Hal, Nouember, 1616 by the late faithfull minister of Iesus Christ, Iohn Preston, Dr. In Diuinity, chapplaine in ordinar[y] to his maiesty, Mr. of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher at Lincolnes Inne.
London: printed by T. Cotes for Michael Sparke, 1630
A SERMON OF SPIRITUAL LIFE, AND DEATH.A SERMON OF SPIRITVALL LIFE, AND DEATH.
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.
First, it is certain, that except they be vital actions; that is, except they proceed from an ⟨p. 9⟩inward principle of life within, they are not 1good actions, they are such as the Lord regards not. Now you know, there are motions, (as the motions of clocks and watches) that proceed not from life, but from Art; so it is in this matter of religion; many good actions may be done, many good motions in the ways of godliness, which yet may not proceed from the life of grace, but from outward respects to men; from fear of hell; from fear of judgement; or in sickness; from the apprehension of death and calamity. In such cases, we may be stirred up to do them; and then even as the wheels that are set a going by the spring, when it is down, you know they cease their motion: So commonly it is in these good fits, in these good moods of godliness, when that which set them on work is removed pThere is an end of them. And therefore if you would know whether the works you do be right or no, such as God will accept at the last day, consider if they proceed from an inward principle, from a principle of life within.
First, it is certaine, that except they be vital actions; that is, except they proceed from an ⟨p. 9⟩inward principle of life within, they are not 1good actions, they are such as the Lord regards not. Now you know, there are motions, (as the motions of clockes and watches) that proceed not from life, but from Art; so it is in this matter of religion; many good actions may be done, many good motions in the waies of godlinesse, which yet may not proceede from the life of grace, but from outward respects to men; from feare of hell; from feare of iudgement; or in sickenesse; from the apprehension of death and calamity. In such cases, we may be stirred vp to do them; and then euen as the wheeles that are set a going by the spring, when it is downe, you know they cease their motion: So commonly it is in these good fits, in these good moodes of godlinesse, when that which set them on worke is remoued