A55752:854
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.
Secondly, It must be read with delight and meditation, Psal. 1. 2 The blessed man delights in Gods Law, and meditates in it day and night, viz. he reads and doth delight in that he reads and meditates in it, for both go together, and therefore he is like the tree planted by the waters side, that brings forth his fruit in due season, but he that reads it without delight is as a dry tree that sucks no sap from the root, and hence it is that meditating is put for reading, Jos. 1. 8. Thou shalt meditate in it day and night, and so I take all places to be meant where meditation is commended; for want whereof a man is confused in those things that he most delights in, and will be excellent in, therefore the word must be read with delight.
Secondly, It must be read with delight and meditation, Psal. 1. 2 The blessed man delights in Gods Law, and meditates in it day and night, viz. he reads and doth delight in that he reads and meditates in it, for both go together, and therefore he is like the tree planted by the waters side, that brings forth his fruit in due season, but he that reads it without delight is as a dry tree that sucks no sap from the root, and hence it is that meditating is put for reading, Ios. 1. 8. Thou shalt meditate in it day and night, and so I take all places to be meant where meditation is commended; for want whereof a man is confused in those things that he most delights in, and will be excellent in, therefore the word must be read with delight.
Thirdly, It must be read with prayer, if we receive not our ordinary food without prayer, much less spiritual, why then should we read the word without it; the means indeed hath a nourishing faculty inherent in it, but yet we must pray, or else it will not put forth his force, the word bath a nourishing faculty going along with it whereby it nourishes, but the holy Ghost must work and cooperate, and unless he do so, it cannot profit, and this is the reason why many hear and profit nothing, because the holy spirit works not with it, and it works not because they pray not for it, that so they may have it,