A55752:956
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.
3. God delights to work by his own ordinances. The word is the power of God to Salvation, if we were able to speak with tongues of Angels, and God wrought not by it, it would not convert a man, but would be like pens without ink, or conduit pipes without water. To work is proper to the holy Ghost, as it is proper to fire to heat, and he only makes the means effectual. The ⟨p. 315⟩Rams horns will do more if God work with them, then the best trumpets. And the waters of Jordan will heal when all the rivers in Damascus will not, and when God saith my word is sufficient unto Salvation, what need others; and this is Pauls reason, why he was not ashamed of the simplicity of the word, because it is the power of God unto Salvation. Suppose their sayings were more choice then Scripture (as some think they be) yet to convert the heart they are not so effectual. Gold is not so good as iron to make a knife, but if a man would have a knife to cut, steel is better, so suppose they were choicer sayings, yet to convert the soul the word only must be used.
3. God delights to work by his own ordinances. The word is the power of God to Salvation, if we were able to speak with tongues of Angels, and God wrought not by it, it would not convert a man, but would be like pens without ink, or conduit pipes without water. To work is proper to the holy Ghost, as it is proper to fire to heat, and he onely makes the means effectual. The ⟨p. 315⟩Rams hornes will do more if God work with them, then the best trumpets. And the waters of Iordan will heal when all therivers in Damascus will not, and when God saith my word is sufficient unto Salvation, what need others; and this is Pauls reason, why he was not ashamed of the simplicity of the word, because it is the power of God unto Salvation. Suppose their sayings were more choice then Scripture (as some think they be) yet to convert the heart they are not so effectual. Gold is not so good as iron to make a knife, but if a man would have a knife to cutt, steel is better, so suppose they were choicer sayings, yet to convert the soul the word onely must be used.