A09997:300
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…
Remains of that reverend and learned divine, John Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplain in ordinary to his Majesty, master of Emanuel College in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolns-Inn Containing three excellent treatises, namely, Judas's repentance. The saints spiritual strength. Pauls conversion.Remaines of that reverend and learned divine, Iohn Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplaine in ordinary to his Majesty, master of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolnes-Inne Containing three excellent treatises, namely, Iudas's repentance. The saints spirituall strength. Pauls conversion.
London: printed by John Beale for Andrew Crooke, 1634
THE SAINTS SPIRITUAL STRENGTH.THE SAINTS SPIRITVALL STRENGTH.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The second motive to move you to strengthen the inward man, is this: if you labour to strengthen 1the inward man, you shall thereby please God. If a man had never so much strength, yet if it be not the strength of the inward man he cannot please God, he cannot perform any holy duty, in such a holy manner as God will approve of, and therefore the Prophet saith, That God doth not delight in any mans legs. He cares not for any mans strength, be it never so great and excellent, except it be the strength of the inward man, and on the contrary, he regards the holy man with his strength, though outwardly weak, as in Esa. 56. 2. I will dwell with him that is of a 2contrite and humble spirit, he that is of a contrite spirit, he is spiritually strong, and therefore I will dwell with him: now what is the reason, that men seek so much the favour of Princes, but because ⟨p. 100⟩they may be exalted unto honour, then why should not you much more labour to be in favour, and have familiarity with God, who is the King of kings, and Lord of lords, who hath power to exalt one, and pull down another; now if we could but bring our hearts to believe this, that in strengthening of the inward man, we should get and grow in favour with God, then men would be stirred up to set upon this work: yet withal, you must know that by the strength of the inward man, you do not please God by merit, for so Christ only, and none but Christ pleaseth God: but when you strengthen the inward man you please God, by object, because you choose grace and holiness, and his favour above all things: Merit was the same argument which Christ used unto his Father, when he would have his Father to glorify him, Joh. 17. 4, 5. Father I have glorified thee on earth: I have finished the work, &c. therefore, 3Father, glorify me, that is, I have merited this at thy hands, that thou shouldest glorify me, because I have perfectly pleased thee in doing thy will. But an argument drawn from the object, is that, which Christ useth to his Disciples, Herein