A55752:856
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.
Fourthly, It must be read or heard in faith, that was ⟨p. 293⟩the reason that it nourished not, and why it did not strengthen because it wanted faith, look what seed is thrown into barren ground it takes no root downward nor brings no fruit upward: such is the word to an unfaithful heart, but look what seed is sown in good soil and that is fruitful, so is it with the word being heard with faith, 1 Thes. 1, 2. 13. It wrought in all those that believed, as if he should have said, it is believing of the word that makes it effectual, otherwise it is as the shining of the Sun to blind eyes, and falling of rain upon rocks. Though they of themselves do lighten, and be enough of themselves to lighten and make them fruitful, yet the fault is not in the Sun nor the rain. The word is a sword, but faith sets an edge on it to divide between the marrow and the bones, that makes it lively, without which it is a dead word, there is no life at all in it. See it in particulars, the word saith, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain, did you believe this and seriously consider this that it is Gods commandment, it would be effectual unto you to make you beware, were that in Rom. 7. duly considered, that the least sin keeps on in the state of damnation; it would make them look about them and try whether they were in the faith or no. If that in Gal. 5. were seriously considered that whosoever is in Christ hath crucified the flesh, and the affections of it, that if any lust be alive in us we are not Christians. Were this well weighed it would make natural men know that they were in a damnable estate.
Fourthly, It must be read or heard in faith, that was ⟨p. 293⟩the reason that it nourished not, and why it did not strengthen because it wanted faith, look what seed is thrown into baren ground it takes no root downward nor brings no fruit upward: such is the word to an unfaithful heart, but look what seed is sown in good soil and that is fruitful, so is it with the word being heard with faith,