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…

Is it so, that the strength of the inward man is to be desired above all things, then as it was in the ¹first place for reproof, so in the second place it may serve for exhortation to all men, that they would labour to grow strong in the inward man, and that they would now at last gather the fragments of their thoughts and desires which have been formerly set to get other things, and now wholly employ them for the getting of this strength, and so much the rather because other things are but as the husk without the kernel, or as the scabbard without the sword, which will do a man no good when he stands in need of them; as for example, to be strong in riches and honour and credit, and (and yet this is all the strength that most men desire) will do no good ⟨p. 96⟩when ye come to wrestle with sin and death. But for to be strong in the inward man who seeks or enquires after it? I know you would be strong in all earthly strength: but I beseech you above all things labour to be strong in the inward man. It is the folly, weakness, and sickness of men, they look all without the doors, unto the strength of the outward man, oh that I could but persuade you as I said before to gather the rest of your thoughts and desires together and set the soul in a frame of grace that you may mortify these inordinate affections which keep back the strengthening of the inward man as covetousness, pride, pleasure, love of vain glory, and the like; then it would be but an easy work and no burden unto you to strengthen the inward man; but here men stick, the way is too narrow, it is a hard matter to persuade men unto it, that there is such excellency in the one and not in the other, that grace is the better part. Therefore that I may the better prevail with you to strengthen the inward man, I will lay down some motives to persuade you to it.

Is it so, that the strength of the inward man is to be desired above all things, then as it was in the ¹first place for reproofe, so in the second place it may serve for exhortation to all men, that they would labour to grow strong in the inward man, and that they would now at last gather the fragments of their thoughts and desires which have beene formerly set to get other things, and now wholly imploy them for the getting of this strength, and so much the rather because other things are but as the huske without the kernell, or as the scabberd without the sword, which will doe a man no good when hee stands in need of them; as for example, to bee strong in riches and honour and credit, and (and yet this is all the strength that most men desire) will doe no good