Remains of that reverend and learned divine, John Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplain in…Remaines of that reverend and learned divine, Iohn Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplaine in…

First, by the inward differences, and they are five:

First, if it come from an heart truly changed, thou shalt find thy self doing all holy duties with a natural inclination, as the fire to ascend; although thou meetest with many impediments, yet never leavest striving, but inwardly delightest in Gods law. A natural conscience may do much, but never make us inwardly from the bent of the heart to will good; now in spiritual things, its more to will then to do; as Saint Paul would have the Corinthians not only to do, but also to will. Hence ¹is it that Nehemiah desires the Lord to hear the ⟨p. 25⟩²prayers of them that did desire to fear him: This is the very Character of a Saint; The natural conscience, if there were no hell, would sin, love it, and use it; but inwardly to desire holiness for it self is an infallible sign; so that were there no heaven nor hell, yet he would choose holiness, and could do no otherwise, when it is his meat and drink (as our Saviour speaketh) to do Gods will. Now a man soundly an hungry, will eat though not hired; so would he do the works of holiness though there were no reward. If you have this disposition, sure I am you have truly repented; if you have not, fear, and labour after it.

First, if it come from an heart truely changed, thou shalt finde thy selfe doing all holy duties with a naturall inclination, as the fire to ascend; although thou meetest with many impediments, yet never leavest striving, but inwardly delightest in Gods law. A naturall conscience may doe much, but never make us inwardly from the bent of the heart to will good; now in spirituall things, its more to will then to doe; as Saint Paul would have the Corinthians not onely to doe, but also to will. Hence ¹