A55752:202
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.
Again as the spiritual strength hath a different beginning, so it hath a different end: that is the ends of them are as far, if not further different then the beginning, for as the spiritual strength hath a different beginning, so it hath a different end; that is the end of them are so far, if not further different then the beginning: for as the Holiness that is in a gracious man ariseth from a higher well head, so it leads a man to a more noble and excellent end then the natural strength; for the end of a spiritual mans strength is Gods glory, that he may yield better obedience unto God, that he may keep touch with him, and keep in with him that he may have more familiarity with him, and more confidence & boldness with him in prayer, In a word that he may be fit for every good work. But the end of the natural mans strength is his himself, his own profit and pleasure, & his own good: for as the rise of any thing is higher, so the end is higher. As for example, water is lifted upon the top of some Mountain or high place because it may go further, then if it were upon even ground, so when a man is strong in the Inward man, he is set up higher, he hath another end, & that is to please God and not himself, and thus much for the second difference.
The third difference is this, he that is spiritually strong, is strong in faith, that is, the strength of the Inward man 1is Faith, but the strength of the outward man is but moral strength, gained by the diligent improvements of nature. Now it is faith that gives strength, a man is not a strong man in Christ, or in the Inward man, that hath not a strong faith, for faith it the only thing that makes a man strong, that is which makes a difference between a spiritual man, and a natural man, for as Reason makes a difference betwixt men and beasts, so faith make a difference between a holy man and a wicked man. As for example, take a Philosopher, that doth excel in other things, as in humane knowledge, he goes before other men, yet in matters of faith and believing he is as blind as a beetle, and the Reason is this; A Christian sees and doth all ⟨p. 53⟩