The Fullness of Christ for Us, Frontispiece – Summary
The true Picture of Iohn Preston, Dr. in Diuinity, and sometimes … of Lincolnes-Inn.
THE FVLNESSE OF CHRIST FOR VSUS.
A Sermon preached at the Court before King JAMES of blessed memory.
By IOHN PRESTON, Dr. in Divinity, Chaplaine in Ordinary to his Majestie, Master of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and sometimes Preacher of Lincolnes Inne.
Offendunt homines non cum Christi multa dicurt, sed cum addunt sua: sic quippe incidunt ex multiloquio in falsiloquium. Ambr.
LONDON, Printed by M. P. for Iohn Stafford, dwelling in Blake-horse-Alley neere Fleetstreet. 1639.
THE BOOKE-SELLER to the learned and godly Reader.
COurteous Reader, you know better then I, that the Church hath beene pestered with writings falsly fathered upon men of renowne. There is scarce an Age in which many instances are not given. Not onelyonly Fathers, and Councels, but Historians, have beene stuffed from other mens Pennes with adulterine conceits. The Divell knowes that as Labans sheepe have conceived by the eye; so men have been apt peremptorily to conclude from the opinions of their great Masters: And men have so cleaved to the persons of men, that they have catched up all shreds that have fallen from them with admiration and resolution to follow them. This hath been very offensive: it hath stayned the dead, and corrupted the living. It is not therefore alwayes safe to trust posthume writings, and to say, This such a man held, because we finde it in the Books published under his name when hee is dead. Yet is there an excellent use of such Workes of good men, as may truely be affirmed to be theirs, though time have brought them forth, when their owners have inhabited their eternity.
Now Bookes are of excellent worth (not to satisfie some greedy Tradesmen, who know how to value them for themselves, though otherwise they care not two pence for the Author, when their own turne is served,) but to take up, and gaine, the eyes, hearts, and times of many, who would reade none except they can reade new ones.
This here presented is certainly the Authors pretended: though not for every word (for I cannot promise that, from a Copy which hath passed through many hands) yet for the fu… …stance, and sense: and it is as certaine that it is new, and so, apt to invite unto it as a new fashion. It is wondred that it is so new, when many of the same Authors are so old. It surely might have beene set in the front both for age, and worth. It was preached before many of the rest, and savours of the Authours learning, modesty, piety, and affection to Iesus Christ, and his Church with us. But though it hath beene formerly neglected, yet now it is tendered in the Authors owne words and hearty affections, so neare as I could. You may see in it a glimpse of the full glory of Christ, and of that use which we make of him, as we must receive him to salvation. If it may doe any service in the Church, I, into whose hands it hath fallen, am glad. If not, yet I beseech you, accept of my good meaning, and be to me, as I am to you, a Christian, ayming more at the glory of Christ, and peace of the Church, then at my owne profit.
Farewell. Iohn Stafford.
The summe of this Sermon is this.
1 It propounds the fulnesse of Christ.
1 In respect of his person
2 In respect of his Offices
uncreated.
created.
1 As a Prophet.
2 As a Priest.
3 As a King.
3 In respect of his righteousnesse.
4 In respect of his effects.
2 It maintains it above the fulnes in the Saints
3 It applies it by foure Corrallaries. Therefore
1 We must be invited to come to him.
2 We must answer it with full affections.
3 We must be satisfied with full Christ.
4 We must comfort our selves with the fulnesse of Christ, against the fulnes of sin.
4 It propounds this fulnesse of Christ for us,
Which we must receive if ever we have it.
5 It applies it for direction of
1 Iudgements about the receit of Grace.
2 Practise.
1 In not deferring our repentance.
2 In not being idle though we are receivers.
3 In going to him from whom wee receive.
4 In being affected as receivers.
1 With thankfulnes for all receits.
2 With humility because wee are receivers.
3 With begging grace by prayers both
Private,
Publike
wherof
Liturgies.
Setformes.
Esteeme of them.