A55748:256
The mystical match between Christ and his churchThe mysticall match between Christ and his church
The mystical match between Christ and his church by the late learned and reverend divine, John Preston ... The leading sermon to that treatise of his called The churches marriage.The mysticall match between Christ and his church by the late learned and reverend divine, John Preston ... The leading sermon to that treatise of his called The churches marriage.
London: printed for Francis Eaglesfield, 1648
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.
First then you must observe narrowly, and strive to discern between the flesh and spirit, which are as close as the bones and marrow, as the inwardest parts, they are so mixed together, there is such a conjunction between the flesh and spirit in every action, as is between the marrow and bones, but you must labour to discern between them, and that is the use you must make of all the knowledge you get by the Word of God. And then secondly, thou must have a special care, and still labour with thy mind, reason, ⟨p. 117⟩and understanding, to be persuaded that it is best to be obedient.
First then you must observe narrowly, and strive to discerne betweene the flesh and spirit, which are as close as the bones and marrow, as the inwardest parts, they are so mixed together, there is such a conjunction betweene the flesh and spirit in every action, as is betweene the marrow and bones, but you must labour to discerne betweene them, and that is the use you must make of all the knowledge you get by the Word of God. And then secondly, thou must have a special care, and still labour with thy mind, reason, ⟨p. 117⟩and understanding, to be perswaded that it is best to be obedient.
And then the third and last thing is, to do somewhat 1with the affections, that is, to exercise and accustom thy stubborn affections to obey: the continuance in doing good, doth subject the affections; for as the Apostle speaks, Hebr. 5. 214. of some, That by reason of use have their wits exercised to discern good from evil, that is, men being occupied in spiritual reasons, and truths, holy conferences, &c. they are able to discern truths. So it is in the affections; for, as exercise in these things makes the understanding ready to discern, so exercise makes the will and affections as ready to be subject, for it hath the same force in one part of the soul, that it hath in another: therefore the Lord leadeth us into variety of conditions, to exercise such and such graces, that we may be subject to him in all things, for the image of God serveth but to bring the soul into obedience to God, as it did in Adam in Paradise. Now therefore, God leads us into another place, and state, and condition of life, that such a grace may be exercised in us. As the Apostle saith,