A55752:314
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 benefit that a Christian hath by the Spirit 1is this, that it enableth him to see, and believe the things that otherwise he would not believe. And I gather it from that place of the Prophet, Isai. 6. 9. where it said. seeing 2they should see, and not perceive, and hearing they should hear and not understand: That is, they see, but want another sight, which is the sight of the Spirit, and therefore he cannot see. A man may have a great fight of humane things by learning and Philosophy, and the knowledge of Arts and sciences, by these he may see both into natural, and spiritual things, in some measure. But I say he cannot see as he should: except he have added unto this another sight, which is the sight that the spirit brings: and therefore it is called the opening of the eyes, and the boring of the ears: and it is that which Saint John speaks of in John 1. that light shined in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. That is, before a man have this sight of the Spirit, whatsoever he sees it is with a great deal of darkness; but when the spirit comes, it drives away darkness, by giving us another eye to see withal: and the darkness comprehended it not. That is the light is so great which the Spirit brings, that nothing can eclipse the light of it. Now until a man have the spirit, he doth neither see, or believe truly: you will not believe till you have the spirit, but when you have got the Spirit then you will believe in Christ. We Preach ⟨p. 109⟩Christ unto all, and exhort you to believe: but what is the reason, that some believe, and others believe not, but because they do not see? that is, they want the spirit to show their sin to humble them, and to show them Christ to comfort them: and therefore Peter calls them purblind. As men that are purblind cannot see things afar off, so men without the spirit are purblind men, that cannot see Christ, grace, and salvation a far off, as near at hand, but if they had the Spirit, then they would see them near hand, That is, you would see a marvellous beauty in Christ, and holiness.
The second benefit that a Christian hath by the Spirit