A55752:244
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 fourth Rule, if you would have the means effectual 1is this, you must take heed of depending on the means without an eye to God in them; For know that the means without God is but as a pen without ink, a pipe without water, or a scabbard without a sword, That is they will not strengthen the inward man without God: for it is the spirit that puts life in the means: And yet you must not cut off the pipe from the well head, that is you must not depend upon God without the use of the means; but you must use both: First seek unto God, and depend upon him for the strengthening of the inward man, and withal use the means constantly, because, as water is carried ⟨p. 74⟩from the well head through the pipe; And so from the pipe to many places: so the means are as pipes to convey graces unto the soul, therefore use them, and •ut them not off by carelessness: if you do you will cut off the strength of the inward man.
The fourth Rule, if you would have the means effectual 1is this, you must take heed of depending on the means without an eye to God in them; For know that the means without God is but as a pen without ink, a pipe without water, or a scabberd without a sword, That is they will not strengthen the inward man without God: for it is the spirit that puts life in the means: And yet you must not cut off the pipe from the well head, that is you must not depend upon God without the use of the means; but you must use both: First seek unto God, and depend upon him for the strengthening of the inward man, and withall use the means constantly, because, as water is carryed ⟨p. 74⟩from the well head through the pipe; And so from the pipe to many places: so the means are as pipes to conveigh graces unto the soul, therefore use them, and •ut them not off by carelesness: if you do you will cut off the strength of the inward man.
- 14. Rule.