A55752:304
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.
I grant that sometimes a thief may be in the high way, but it is for a booty, and a holy man may be out of the way, That is, slipped aside; but here is the difference, the one sets himself of purpose to do evil: and the other is enforced unto evil unwillingly. And you shall know the difference between these two; in these 2. things. If a holy man have gone besides the way, as soon as the passion or temptation is overpast, he will return again into the right way; he will not go forward, nor stand still, ⟨p. 105⟩but he will return: But the other though in some sense he knows it, and is told he is besides the rule, yet he cares not, he will go on forward.
I grant that sometimes a thief may be in the high way, but it is for a bootie, and a holy man may be out of the way, That is, slipt aside; but here is the difference, the one sets himself of purpose to do evil: and the other is inforced unto evil unwillingly. And you shall know the difference between these two; in these 2. things. If a holy man have gone besides the way, as soon as the passion or temptation is overpast, he will return again into the right way; he will not go forward, nor stand still, ⟨p. 105⟩but he will return: But the other though in some sence he knowes it, and is told he is besides the rule, yet he cares not, he will go on forward.
Therefore examine, what fruits of the spirit you bring forth, and what ways you delight in. Are you in the way of holiness? do you delight to pray, to hear, to receive? do you love God, and Christ, and the Communion of Saints? Then it is a sign that you have the Spirit. But on the contrary if you follow drunkenness, and uncleanness, and profaning of the Sabbath, in gaming, and in sporting, and idleness, you never had the Spirit.
Therefore examine, what fruits of the spirit you bring forth, and what wayes you delight in. Are you in the way of holiness? do you delight to pray, to hear, to receive? do you love God, and Christ, and the Communion of Saints? Then it is a sign that you have the Spirit. But on the contrary if you follow drunkenness, and uncleanness, and prophaning of the Sabbath, in gaming, and in sporting, and idleness, you never had the Spirit.