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…

The fourth difference is this, the natural strength leads a man but unto a form of godliness, ¹but the spiritual strength leads a man unto the power of godliness: I call that the form of godliness, when a man doth perform, or do any thing with carnal affections not to a right end, and this is known by this, when they fall away from that steadfastness, or form and show of holiness that they seemed to have: this form of godliness is the same with that in Heb. 6. A tasting of the Word of life, and yet notwithstanding fall away: they seemed to have tasted of saving grace, and to have the power with the form, but it was not so, because they continued not: they lost that form which made them seem to be that which now it appears they were not. Again, I call that the power of godliness which is performed by the divine power, force and efficacy of the Spirit. Rom. 2. 14. it is said, that the Gentiles, that were ²not under the law, did by nature the things contained in the law: that is, they did it by the efficacy and power of nature. Semblable unto this is that of the same Apostle, 2 Tim. 2. 3. in the latter time men shall come in a form of godliness, that ³is, with a form in show without substance or power of the Spirit: but the inward strength which is the inward man doth not only teach you to do, but also it teacheth you how to do them; but men that have but a common strength, have some bubbles to good and they seem to have this strength because they have the law of nature ⟨p. 93⟩written in their hearts and they may promise much and yet he is not spiritually strong, because he cannot do spiritual actions in a spiritual manner, for he goes about that with a natural strength which should be performed with a spiritual strength, 1 Pet. 1. 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith, unto salvation: when a