A09997:315
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 fourth rule, if you would have the means effectual, is this, you must take heed of depending 1upon the means without God. For know ⟨p. 114⟩that the means without God, is but as a pen without Ink, a pipe without water or a scabbard without a sword. They will not strengthen the inward man without God: for it is the Spirit that puts life in the means, and yet you must not cut off the pipe from the well-head: you must not depend upon God without the use of the means, but you must use both: that is, first seek to God and depend upon him for the strengthening of the inward man, and withal use the means constantly, because as water is carried from the Well-head unto the pipe, and so from the pipe unto many places, so the means are as pipes to carry grace into the soul? Therefore use them and cut them not off by carelessness; if you do, you will cut off the strength of the inward man.
The fourth rule, if you would have the meanes effectuall, is this, you must take heed of depending 1upon the meanes without God. For know ⟨p. 114⟩that the meanes without God, is but as a penne without Incke, a pipe without water or a scabberd without a sword. They will not strengthen the inward man without God: for it is the Spirit that puts life in the meanes, and yet you must not cut off the pipe from the well-head: you must not depend upon God without the use of the meanes, but you must use both: that is, first seeke to God and depend upon him for the strengthning of the inward man, and withall use the meanes constantly, because as water is carried from the Well-head unto the pipe, and so from the pipe unto many places, so the meanes are as pipes to carry grace into the soule? Therefore use them and cut them not off by carelessenesse; if you doe, you will cut off the strength of the inward man.
- 14. Rule.