A55752:203
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.
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⟩things by faith; but the other only but by the light of nature, and this is the same that the Apostle speaks of Heb. 11 Of weak they became strong, that is because they had 2faith, and were strong in the faith, and trusted, and believed and hoped in God therefore they became strong; that is they did that which other men could not do that wanted faith; Sisera might do as great things as Gideon, but here is the difference; Gideon doth them all out of Faith, the other doth them but from Nature: and so Socrates may in worldly things be as wise as, Paul that is, as wise in understanding and in policy, by reason of excellent natural parts: but here is the difference Paul, doth all things out of faith, and Socrates doth not, therefore the Apostle saith, in the 1 Tim. 4. 10. We are strong because we 3trust in the living God, that is we have a strong faith in God, and that makes us stand out all the assaults of men and Devils: I say this is that which make a difference betwixt us and the men of this world; Diogenes may trample under his feet the things of this world as well as Moses, but Moses by faith chose rather the things of another life then these.