A03611:144
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.
As a traveller when he is loath to go through some filthy lane, he will break through the fence and go through the meadow, that he may save the foul way, at last when he hath gone up and down and cannot get out again, he is forced with much loss of time to go back again, and go through the lane. So it is with many sinful wretches in the world, and this hath cost them dear. They will not go this way, by sorrow for sin to see the filthiness thereof, and their cursed abominations, but they will have a new way to receive mercy & comfort from God, yet at last they are driven to a stand, and then they will hear the minister of God, and when he saith, Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost, 1that is, those poor sinners that saw themselves lost; and consider the plagues of their heart; And when Christ works savingly, he opens the eye and awakens the conscience, and a man must confess before he can find mercy, then the soul saith, I never saw this work upon my soul, I was never lost. No? where broke you over then? you would needs to heaven a new way; you are like the thorny ground that would receive the word with joy; Nay, Isle assure you, you must come back again, and see all those abominations ⟨p. 59⟩which have been committed in secret by you and discover them, or else there is no means to come unto life;2 Let us search & try our ways (saith the Church.) you must not think that Christ will pardon all, and you do nothing, No, first see your sins, and then you shall receive mercy & pardon for them.
As a traveller when he is loath to goe through some filthy lane, he will breake through the fence and goe through the meadow, that he may save the foule way, at last when he hath gone up and downe and cannot get out againe, he is forced with much losse of time to goe backe againe, and goe through the lane. So it is with many sinfull wretches in the world, and this hath cost them deare. They will not goe this way, by sorrow for sinne to see the filthinesse thereof, and their cursed abominations, but they will have a new way to receive mercy & comfort from God, yet at last they are driven to a stand, and then they will heare the minister of God, and when he saith, Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost,