A55752:259
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 7. means: If you would grow strong in the inward ⟨p. 82⟩man, is this: you must get the spirit: all other means will nothing avail you except you get this: for this is that that makes them effectual, and makes a difference betwixt men: Sampson was strong and so were other men, but Sampson was stronger then other men, because he had the spirit, and it is said o• John the Baptist that he came in the spirit of Elijah. That is he had the same spirit that Elijah had, and therefore he had the greater efficacy. If John had not had this spirit, he had been but as other men, therefore whatsoever you do, labour above all things to get the spirit, nothing will strengthen the inward man, except you have the spirit: It is the spirit that makes the inward man to grow strong. And thus much for the means for the strengthening of the inward man; And for this point. Now we proceed:
The 7. means: If you would grow strong in the inward ⟨p. 82⟩man, is this: you must get the spirit: all other means will nothing avail you except you get this: for this is that that makes them effectual, and makes a difference betwixt men: Sampson was strong and so were other men, but Sampson was stronger then othermen, because he had the spirit, and it is said o• Iohn the Baptist that he came in the spirit of Eliah. That is he had the same spirit that Eliah had, and therefore he had the greater efficacie. If Iohn had not had this spirit, he had been but as other men, therefore whatsoever you do, labour above all things to get the spirit, nothing will strengthen the inward man, except you have the spirit: It is the spirit that makes the inward man to grow strong. And thus much for the means for the strengthening of the inward man; And for this point. Now we proceed:
The next thing to be considered is the means which the Apostle lays down, whereby they may be strengthened in the inward man; Is, to have the spirit; That he would grant you, &c. That you may be strengthened by the spirit in the inward man: That is, if you would know what would strengthen you, it is the spirit: hence note this point. That