A55752:342
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.
Thirdly, Simon Magus desired the spirit to a wrong end, namely for his own advantage, that upon whom soever he should lay his hands, They might receive the holy Ghost. 1And do not men do the like now, They desire to have the spirit, and they could wish with all their hearts that they had him, but yet not to a right end. That is for Gods glory: but for some carnal end of their own. That you may be reputed thus and thus, but not to any other end: for know that a man may desire grace, but if the aim of his desire be for his own end, the desire is sin, the same that Simon Magus his was. Therefore I beseech you not to defer, put not off the opportunity, and remember what the Lord saith in Hebr. 3. To day if you will hear my voice harden not your hearts. That is, this is 2the day, now have you the opportunity, the candle is in your hands, and you may light your souls by it, the word is near you, well then light your candles by it: you may now light them whilst the fire is here, but if you will ⟨p. 117⟩not now, how will you do when the fire is out? That is when you shall be either taken from the means, or the means from you: therefore labour to know the spirit, and Judge aright of him if you would get him.
Thirdly, Simon Magus desired the spirit to a wrong end, namely for his own advantage, that upon whom soever he should lay his hands, They might receive the holy Ghost. 1And do not men do the like now, They desire to have the spirit, and they could wish with all their hearts that they had him, but yet not to a right end. That is for Gods glory: but for some carnal end of their own. That you may be reputed thus and thus, but not to any other end: for know that a man may desire grace, but if the aim of his desire be for his own end, the desire is sin, the same that Simon Magus his was. Therefore I beseech you not to defer, put not off the opportunitie, and remember what the Lord saith in Hebr. 3. To day if you will hear my voice harden not your hearts. That is, this is