A55752:1301
Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…
Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity and duty of Gods children by the late Reverend and Faithful Minister of Jesus Christ, John Preston ...Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity and duty of Gods children by the late Reverend and Faithfull Minister of Jesus Christ, John Preston ...
London: printed by J.T., 1658
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.
To this I answer first, that there is an end in speaking ⟨p. 424⟩1to a man in spiritual bonds, to desire and command him to escape, for the very words do put life into such a man, such is the word we preach, it hath power going along with it to put life into those that hear it, as Christ when he spake to the sick man to arise, it was to some purpose, such I say is the word we do preach.
To this I answer first, that there is an end in speaking ⟨p. 424⟩1to a man inspiritual bonds, to desire and command him to escape, for the very words do put life into such a man, such is the word we preach, it hath power going along with it to put life into those that hear it, as Christ when he spake to the sick man to arise, it was to some purpose, such I say is the word we do preach.
- 1Answ.
Secondly, I answer that these similitudes hold not, because it is very difficult to exhort and command a man to do a thing when there is an extreme impediment, as it is with a man in a Well and in Prison. But that is not the case here, for if a man hath but the will to come to Christ, there is no external impediment, and therefore if we exhort and command men to come to Christ, and they come not, we cannot only say that they cannot come, but rather that they will not come; here then is reason enough for our exhortations in this kind.
Secondly, I answer that these similitudes hold not, because it is very difficult to exhort and command a man to do a thing when there is an extream impediment, as it is with a man in a Well and in Prison. But that is not the case here, for if a man hath but the will to come to Christ, there is no external impediment, and therefore if we exhort and command men to come to Christ, and they come not, we cannot onely say that they cannot come, but rather that they will not come; here then is reason enough for our exhortations in this kind.