comes, it helps out in things wherein nature failes : as Sampfon could doe many ordinary things by his owne ftrength; but when hee came to take downe or carrie away the gates of a Citie, and to pull downe an house, it is ftill faid, The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, the Lord went with him; and even fo it is here. Secondly,examine whether ye be godly in truth or no; for in Chrift there are faid to be dead bran ches as well as living, that is, those that have the forme as well as thofe that have the power: but how are they diftinguished the dead beare no fruit; and therefore as John said, Every tree that bringeth John 15. 2. not forth good fruit, God puts the axe to it: and fo the three grounds did not bring forthfruit. Examine therefore your felves whether ye be full of fruit or no, whether ye abound in good duties or no, and doe them with an honeft heart, for thereby the fourth ground is diftinguished from all the reft. Thirdly, examine whether ye hold out in time of triall or not, whether you are able to approve your felves with joy, as the Apostle fayes of himselfe, that he did when he was in trouble on every fide, on the right hand and on the left, in profperity and in adverfity. The third ground held not out in temptation; and the reafon was, because they had not depth of earth, that is, they wanted power, and an inward stock of grace, for that is depth of earth: as a man that keeps a great house, if he have not a stock able to supply him, he will foone prove bankrupt, and for a trades-man (as yee fay) if he be not diligent in his trade, and follow it well, and make his returnes, he will foon H breake; breake; fo alfo when a man wants inward power, and an inward stock of graces to beare his daily expences out, he will foone become bankrupt, *....... Fourthly, every grace hath fome property annexed to it, which doth diftinguish and difference it from counterfeit, as in faith unfained, laborious love, patient hope, and the like. Thirdly, take heed left fome luft overcome all, and fo luft overtop all, and be predominant, as the praise of men, or a refpect of pleafure; as an Hawk (you fee) though fhee may foare and flie high, yet fhe will have an eye to the prey below; and fo have hypocrites. See therefore that ye ferve God in finglenesse of heart, and not with eye-fervice, that you doe not harbour any luft within, for that will spoile all at last as weeds in a garden,if they be let alone, and not plucked up, will over-runne the hearbs; fo is it with finne, if it be fuffered, though it be but a little one at first, yet it will like a leprofie overfpread the whole man: and therefore looke to that, that fome luft doe not overcome all in the end. And fo I end for this text and time. FINIS. Delivered in five Sermons, by IOHN PRESTON, Doctor in Divinity, Chaplane. in Ordinary to his Majeftie; Mafter of Emannel Colledge in Cambridge, and fometimes Preacher at Lincolnes Inne. MATTH. 22. 37, 38. This is the firft, and great Commandement : thou fhalt Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart. LONDON, Printed by Thomas Paine, for John Stafford, in Chancery Lane, over against the Roules. 100.91 Anno Dom. 1640. 157.31 Severall Treatifes. 1. A Treatife of the Attributes of God> 17. Sermons upon divers Texts. containing 2.Foure Treatifes viz. 1. A remedy against Covetoufneffe upon 2. An Elegant and lively defcrip-upon Iohn 5.25. 3. The Doctrine of felfe deniall, upon Luke 9.23. 4. A Treatise of the Sacrament, upon t Iob 5.14. 3. The Saints daily Exercife, or a upon 1 Thess. 5. 17. Treatife of Prayer 4. The New Covenant in 14. Sermons, upon Gen. 17. 1, 2. Unto which is added 4. Sermons upon Ecclef. 9. 1, 2. 11.12. i. A Treatife of Humiliation in 10. Sermons, the first 9 upon Komans 1. 18. 5. The Saints Qua. The tenth Preached before the common houfe of Parliament upon Numb. 25.10,11. lification,contai- 2. Of San&ification or the New Creature in ning,viz. 6. The Doctrine of 18, 19, 20. 9. Sermons upon 2 Cor. 5. 17. 3. Of Communion with Christ in the Sacra- 7. The Breftplate of Faith and Love, containing 18. Sermons upon three feverall Texts, viz.Revel.1.17. 1 Thef.1.3. Gal.5.6. 1. The New Life,upon 1 John 5.15. 8. Five Sermons Prea 2. A Senfible demonftration of the Diety, upon Efay 64. 4. ched before his Ma-3. Of Exact walking, upon Ephe, 5. 15. jestic,viz. 4. The Pillar and ground of Truth, upon x Tim. 3. 15.. 5. Sam.Support of forrowfull finners upen 1 Sam. 12. 20, 21, 22. 9. Two Treatifes of Mortification, and Humiliation, upon Col. 3. 5. Ephef. 1. 1,2,3. Together with the livele fe life, A Treatfe of Vivification. 10. His Remaines, con- 1. Indas's Repentance. taining 3. excellent 2. The Saints Spirituall strength, Treatifes, viz. 3 Pauls Converfion. 11. The Golden Scepter, with the Churches Marriage, being three Treatifes in one volume. 12. The Fulneffe of Chrift, upon Iohn 1. 16. 13. A Heavenly Treatife of the Divine Love of Christ, in Five Sermons, upon 1 Cor. 16. 22. |