A55752:220
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 what joy the outward man hath in these outward things it is but according to the opinion of the inward man, That is; the comforts is no more then they are esteemed of the Inward man; If the inward man do not esteem them as worthy the rejoicing in, they will not bring comfort. Again all the pains and labour, and all things else you do bestow upon the outward man is but lost labour, that will do no good, brings no sound peace to the spirit, and who will bestow labour on a vain thing? but if you strengthen the Inward man, the labour that you take about that will bring you great advantage, it will arm you against all losses and Crosses, and reproach and poverty that you shall meet withal in the world whiles you are in the way to Heaven.
Again what joy the outward man hath in these outward things it is but according to the opinion of the inward man, That is; the comforts is no more then they are esteemd of the Inward man; If the inward man do not esteem them as worthy the rejoycing in, they will not bring comfort. Again all the pains and labour, and all things else you do bestow upon the outward man is but lost labour, that will do no good, brings no sound peace to the spirit, and who will bestow labour on a vain thing? but if you strengthen the Inward man, the labour that you take about that will bring you great advantage, it will arm you against all losses and Crosses, and reproach and povertie that you shall meet withall in the world whiles you are in the way to Heaven.
Again consider that though you be strong in the outward man, yet you are moveable, subject to shaking and ⟨p. 62⟩fleeting, but it is otherwise with the Inward man, it makes a Christian steadfast and immovable, That is it will so establish the heart in grace that he will stand firm unto Christ in all estates; It is with the outward man as it is with the seas: Though he strength of the stream run one way, yet the wind blows contrary, it moves, and stirs, and strives, and disquiets it: when losses and crosses come, they break the frame and strength of the outward man, but the Inward man is like the firm ground, let the wind blow never so violent, yet it moves not, it stands fast.