A55752:266
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 second way how the spirit strengthens grace is this, 1when he hath set up the building, and swept every corner of the soul; Then he enables the soul to do more, then it could do by nature: That is by putting new habits and qualities into the soul; As first when a man can do no more then a natural man can do by nature, then the spirit fortifies and enables the soul to act holily and spiritually. As for example, any hand can cut with a chisel or the like instrument: But if he can by it make a picture; this is a work above nature, No man can do it unless he have Art and Time about it; so when the spirit comes into the heart then it makes a man to do more then he can naturally do.
The second way how the spirit strengthens grace is this, 1when he hath set up the building, and swept every corner of the soul; Then he enables the soul to do more, then it could do by nature: That is by putting new habits and qualities into the soul; As first when a man can do no more then a natural man can do by nature, then the spirit fortifies and enables the soul to act holily and spiritually. As for example, any hand can cut with a cheesil or the like instrument: But if he can by it make a picture; this is a work above nature, No man can do it unless he have Art and Time about it; so when the spirit comes into the heart then it makes a man to do more then he can naturally do.
- 12. Wor.
Water you know of it self is cold, but if you would have it of another quality, then you must put a quality of fire in it: so the soul is dead and cold by nature: but if a quality of the fire of the spirit be added unto it, then it will be able to do more then it naturally can do: Therefore examine what new habits and qualities be in you: that is, whether you have new habits of patience, love, hope, experience, That is, as patience begets experience, and experience, hope: so where the spirit is it doth beget new habits and qualities in the soul: by which it is able to do more then naturally it can do: as I said, it first builds the house, and sweeps the rooms, and then it fills and furnisheth the Rooms with new habits and qualities of grace.