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…

In the third place, this may serve for direction ¹for you may say unto me you have showed us what this inward man is, and the differences betwixt the inward strength, and the outward strength and you have also laid down motives to move us to strengthen the inward man, but alas, how shall we strengthen the inward man: ⟨p. 106⟩what means shall we use to do so? To help you in this work I will lay down some means by the use of which you may be strengthened: but before I come unto the particulars, it will not be amiss to stand upon the general, and a little to persuade you, but to desire to be strong; for if you could but bring your hearts unto this, but to desire to be strengthened, it will be a great means to move you to prevail against whatsoever may seem to hinder you from it; I say, if you did but desire it: if you did but know the excellency of the inward man, it would work a holy desire in you, and a true desire will let no means escape, that may further it. This is the same means that Christ uses unto his Disciples, when he would have them in love with Faith, if you had Faith, yea, but as much Faith as this grain of Mustard seed, you should be able to remove mountains: if you did but know the excellency of this Grace of Faith, you would desire it, and if you did but desire it, you would never rest till you get it: so if you did but prize grace, and the inward man at a high rate you should be sure to have him: you know the promise, Matth. 5. 6. Blessed are they that hunger, and thirst after righteousness, for they ²shall be satisfied: therefore if you could but bring your hearts unto this frame as to hunger after the inward man you should have him, or if you can but bring your hearts unto this temper, as to desire him, or seek after the strength of the inward man you should find him: Prou. 2. 4. If thou searchest ⟨p. 107⟩³for her, as for silver, and diggest for her as for hid treasure, then thou shalt find, &c. If you did but esteem the inward man, as men do silver, and prize it as a rich treasure at a high rate, then the effect would follow, you should find: so then, if you will desire salvation, and happiness, and the strength of the inward man, you shall be saved; but you will never thrive in grace till you have a desire to thrive, grace will not grow till there be a desire wrought in the soul: