A55752:295
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 first property of an assumed body is this, we have ⟨p. 100⟩but an assumed body of grace and holiness, when in the practise of life we take unto our selves the things that are evil: and leave the things that are truly holy and good. I do not say when I hate good, but when I prefer evil before good, setting it at the higher end of the Table, and serving it first, and attending on it most. That is when holy duties become troublesome, and wearisome unto you, when it goes against the hair, as we say, that they cross our nature: and yet you will not cross it for the love of Christ: when it is thus with you, whatsoever you think of your selves, you have not the sanctifying spirit, but a common spirit without life▪
The first property of an assumed body is this, we have ⟨p. 100⟩but an assumed body of grace and holiness, when in the practise of life we take unto our selves the things that are evil: and leave the things that are truely holy and good. I do not say when I hate good, but when I prefer evil before good, setting it at the higher end of the Table, and serving it first, and attending on it most. That is when holy duties become troublesome, and wearisom unto you, when it goes against the hair, as we say, that they crosse our nature: and yet you will not crosse it for the love of Christ: when it is thus with you, whatsoever you think of your selves, you have not the sanctifying spirit, but a common spirit without life▪
The second property of an assumed body of grace, is if you have it not in a feeling manner. The sanctifying 1spirit works a spiritual sense and taste in the soul. That is, if you have the sanctifying spirit, then holy things will have a good taste, it will be sweet unto you: it will purge out that which is contrary to the growth of the inward man. On the contrary the common spirit will never make you to taste grace, as it is grace, or because it is grace. That is grace will not be a dainty thing, and it will be without a good savour: therefore examine, what taste of good you have: whether you can relish grace or no: if not you have not the sanctifying Spirit but an assumed body and show of grace, That is, a common spirit without the life of grace.