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 third motive, to persuade you to strengthen the inward man, is this, because this inward ¹strength draws on the outward strength, that is, it makes the outward strength more prosperous. Now who would not thrive in the things of the world? but if you turn it, the contrary will not hold so, for the outward strength will not draw on the inward strength; therefore our Saviour saith, Seek you first the Kingdom of heaven, and the righteousness thereof, and then all things shall be added ²unto you; the way for you to thrive in the outward man is, first to get strength in the inward man; Seek you first grace and Christ, and holiness: and then the effect will follow, All things, that is, what you shall stand in need of, shall be given you, and Esa. 48. 18. The Lord saith, O that my people had but a heart to consider, that is, oh ³that my people would but be wise; First, to strengthen the inward man, and then as it follows, your prosperity should be as the floods, then your outward strength and prosperity should abound like floods: again Prov. 22. 4. The wise man saith, that the reward of holiness is, riches, ⁴and honour, and life: he that is strong in the inward man, shall have whatsoever may be necessary ⟨p. 102⟩or good for the outward man: and therefore we should strive to grow strong in the inward man, that is, to be full of grace and wisdom, especially against evil days against they come, that when they come we may have strength to bear them: now the inward man will bear a mountain of afflictions and reproaches, which will press and squeeze the outward man to powder: The spirit of a man will bear his infirmities, but a wounded conscience who can bear? If the inward man be weak, who can bear, the burden of afflictions and the like, but if the inward man be strong then the Will, will bear a part, & the affections will bear a part with the conscience, and so the burden will be the lighter, but if you be not strong in the inward man, it is unpossible that you should bear them: therefore let us not busy our selves about fantasies, and vain things that will stand us in no stead, but let us labour to strengthen the inward man.