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…

Hence it is throughly changed, in regard of the quality and disposition, to what it was, and yet in substance remains the same: as for example, put Iron into the fire, the Iron is the same it was in substance before it came into the fire: but now it hath another quality, it was cold, and stiff, and hard, and unpliable: but now it is hot, and soft, and pliable, and this change is throughout in every part of it, and yet it is Iron still. So it is with the Spirit when it comes into the heart of a Christian, he mingleth and infuseth spiritual life into all the parts of the soul, and therefore it is said; if Christ be in you, the body is ¹dead as touching sin: but the Spirit is alive. The body is dead, that is, as touching reigning sin: he is like a tree that wants both sap and root, or as a man that is dead that wants a soul; he is now dead, whatsoever he was before: but the spirit is alive to God. Therefore examine, if this through great change be in you, see then what death there ⟨p. 149⟩is in you to sin, and what life unto holiness, I call it a thorough and great change: because a little one will never bring you in such a frame as to be fit for heaven. And again, the Apostle calls it a great change in Rom. 12. 2. be you metamorphosed, that is, throughly changed, new moulded: again, ²in 2 Corin. 3. 18. You are, saith the Apostle, changed ³from glory, to glory: and therefore consider, that every change will not serve the turn, but it must be a great change, as the changing of Christs Spirit for your own spirit, which if you have, then you shall come out of every affliction, and every difficulty like gold out of the furnace, like cloth out of the die; of Lions you shall be Lambs, of Serpents you shall be Doves: therefore see whether this change be in you or no, if this change be in you, then when your old guests, that is, your old lusts shall come and find that his old companion is cast out of doors, and that the soul is swept and cleansed, he will not stay, but seek abiding else-where: