A55752:192
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.
I speak not against Natural and moral strength, because it comes from God and is good, for I say we do not take away those, but we exalt the other above them, therefore I beseech you look that you do not content your selves therewith, but labour to strengthen the Inward man.
And here a question ariseth, seeing there is a Natural and a spiritual strength; how shall a man come to know, whether that the strength he hath be a moral or a spiritual strength? yet as I say we do not destroy Natural strength, but we use it as men do wild horses and beasts, they tame them to make them sit for service, so we should use these as means to carry us to their right end, we will then come to show the difference between Natural and spiritual strength.
And here a question ariseth, seeing there is a Natural and a spiritual strength; how shall a man come to know, whether that the strength he hath be a moral or a spiritual strength? yet as I say we do not destroy Natural strength, but we use it as men do wilde horses and beasts, they tame them to make them sit for service, so we should use these as means to carry us to their right end, we will then come to shew the difference between Natural and spiritual strength.
The First difference is this, the spiritual strength goes ⟨p. 49⟩1further then the natural strength, that is, look what the natural man can do with the natural strength, the spiritual man can do more, he can go further both in degree and measure: and the reason is because grace elevates nature, that is, it brings it unto a higher pitch: grace is unto the soul as a prospective glass unto the eye, it brings things a far off nigh hand: Again it causes a man to see things in a more excellent manner: or as matter that is elevated by fire, so is he that hath this strength: that is he is able to do more then a natural strength can do: This was that which made a difference between Sampson and other men; he had a natural strength, and he had a strength to do more then other men could do: and that this strength doth go further then natural strength we will prove by these particulars.