Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

The Second degree is a particular weakness, and that is when a man is Generally strong, and yet weak in some ⟨p. 43⟩parts, as for example, a ship may be strong built, or generally strong, and yet having a leak in it, cannot be said to be strong in all parts, because it hath that in it which will at last destroy it: so it is with a Christian, if there be but a leak, that is a weakness, in one part of the soul, he is not strong in the inward man, therefore a man must take heed of all weakness, though a man may be generally strong, that he be not weak in some things.

Now I come to the Reasons, wherefore we should be strong in the inward man, and they are these.

The first Reason wherefore we should be strong in the ¹inner man is this, because it will fit us for many employments, that is, it will make us go through much work with great ease, to perform the weightiest duties in Religion in such manner, as otherwise we could never be able to perform; and this should persuade men the rather to pray earnestly for this, because God rewards men according to their works, that is, it is not for beauty, riches or dignity, that moves God to give grace and glory unto any, but according to their works: a good reason it is therefore to persuade men to be strong in the Inner man, that they may be able to go through great matters for God, and that with great strength, and this should make men to beg the spirit, because he works in us effectually to the strengthening of us in the Inward man.

The first Reason wherefore we should be strong in the ¹