A55752:645
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.
A man in an even condition, it is nothing for him to keep his mind in an even temper; but in the unevenness of a mans condition, now to keep his mind equally disposed, that is the difficulty. And it is not only difficult in that which riseth from the unevenness of a mans estate; but the suddenness of the change. When a sudden change comes, look to thy self, be strong. As we say of the body (it is a rule of Physicians) it endures not sudden changes; no more can the mind, but it is apt to be disquieted and put out of temper. As when a man hath had a great heat, and sudden cold comes: when a man is in one condition, and suddenly comes into another, now is the time to stir up strength. That is the second.
A man in an even condition, it is nothing for him to keep his minde in an even temper; but in the unevenness of a mans condition, now to keep his minde equally disposed, that is the difficulty. And it is not onely difficult in that which riseth from the unevenness of a mans estate; but the suddenness of the change. When a sudden change comes, look to thy self, be strong. As we say of the body (it is a rule of Physicians) it indures not sudden changes; no more can the minde, but it is apt to be disquieted and put out of temper. As when a man hath had a great heat, and sudden cold comes: when a man is in one condition, and suddenly comes into another, now is the time to stir up strength. That is the second.
Thirdly and lastly, there are certain seasons and opportunities, 1wherein a man is called to exercise such and such a grace; now is the time, when we must be strong to put that grace in practice. Sometimes there is a season of using the grace of patience, sometimes of love sometimes of temperance, sometimes one grace, sometimes ⟨p. 216⟩another: whensoever these seasons and opportunities come; now put forth these graces, and let them have their perfect work, every grace in his season. That is the time now when a man is to stir up his strength in those opportunities and turnings of a mans life. Such things fall out every day; now one grace is to be used, and then another: now be careful to stir them up, as we see,