A03611:114
The Soul's Preparation for Christ
The souls preparation for Christ. Or, A treatise of contrition Wherein is discovered how God breaks the heart and wounds the soul, in the conversion of a sinner to Himself.The soules preparation for Christ. Or, A treatise of contrition Wherein is discovered how God breaks the heart and wounds the soule, in the conversion of a sinner to Himselfe.
London: printed by M. Flesher for Robert Dawlman, 1632London: printed by M. Flesher for Robert Davvlman, 1632
THE SOULS PREPARATION FOR CHRIST.THE SOVLES PREPARATION FOR CHRIST.
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,1 bind your hearts to the peace and good behaviour, and be willingly content to take every truth that is revealed, without quarrelling; and I would have a man to bind his heart, hand, and foot, that they may not dare to have any brabbling against the revealed will of God; that so what ever truth is delivered, though never so cross and contrary to our corrupt nature, the soul may be willing to be under the blow of it, and let the strength of the word come full upon the heart; And this will make us feelingly to understand our conditions: as in Job, when God had taken down his proud heart, see how he submits himself,2 Behold, I am vile, what shall I say? I will lay my hand upon my mouth, I have sinned; but I will go n• further; as though he had reasoned thus with himself, I have (I confess) pleaded too much for my self, I have made more shift for my self than was needful, I have gainsaid thy word, but now no more. Now if any man seem to quarrel & take up arms against the truth of God, let that man ⟨p. 40⟩know he was never truly humbled for his sins: It is a sinful rebellious spirit that carries it self thus against God & his word; the shifts whereby the soul labours to beat back the power of the word may be reduced to these three heads.
Thirdly,1 binde your hearts to the peace and good behaviour, and be willingly content to take every truth that is revealed, without quarrelling; and I would have a man to bind his heart, hand, and foote, that they may not dare to have any brabling against the revealed will of God; that so what ever truth is delivered, though never so crosse and contrary to our corrupt nature, the soule may be willing to be under the blow of it, and let the strength of the word come full upon the heart; And this will make us feelingly to understand our conditions: as in Iob, when God had taken downe his proud heart, see how he submits himselfe,2 Behold, I am vile, what shall I say? I will lay my hand upō my mouth, I have sinned; but I will go n further; as thogh he had reasoned thus with himselfe, I have (I confesse) pleaded too much for my selfe, I have made more shift for my selfe thē was needfull, I have gainsaid thy word, but now no more. Now if any man seeme to quarrell & take up armes against the truth of God, let that man