A09997:371
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 benefit that a Christian hath by the ⟨p. 162⟩1spirit, is this, it enables a Christian both to see and believe the things that otherwise he would not believe. I gather it from that place of the Prophet, Isai. 6. 9. where it is said, seeing they should see, and not perceive, and hearing they should hear, and 2not under stand: they saw but they wanted another sight, which is the sight of the spirit, and therefore they cannot see: a man may have great sight in humane things by learning, and Philosophy, and the knowledge of Arts and Sciences, by these he may see both into natural and spiritual things in some measure: but I say he cannot see as he should, except he have added unto this another sight, which is the sight that the spirit brings; and therefore it is called the opening of the eyes, and the boring of the ears, and it is the same that St. John speaks of, in John 1. 5. That the light shone in 3darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not: before a man have this sight of the spirit, whatsoever he sees, yet it is with a great deal of darkness, but when the spirit comes, it drives away this darkness, by giving us another eye to see through it. And the darkness comprehended it not, so that till a man have the spirit, he doth neither truly see, nor believe. You cannot believe till you have the spirit, but when you have got the spirit, then you will believe in Christ. We preach Christ unto all and exhort you to believe, but what is the reason that some believe, and others believe not, but because they do not see; they want the spirit to show them sin, to humble ⟨p. 163⟩them, and Christ to comfort them: and therefore Peter calls them purblind. As men that are purblind cannot see things a far off, except they be near, so men without the spirit are but purblind, men that cannot see Christ, and Grace, and Salvation a far off, as near: but if they had the Spirit, then they would see them near hand, that is, you would see a marvellous beauty in Christ, and holiness: it is that which the Apostle speaks of, in