A03611:149
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.
The last use for instruction to all my fellow brethren:1 let me speak a word to them and to my self too; let us all take that course in dealing with the people, and Gods ordinances, which God himself takes up; As the steward disposeth of every thing at his masters will, and the Apothecary orders drugs as the Physician appoints, so let it be with us to, we are but stewards and Apothecaries; let us take that course, and use those means that God hath appointed for ⟨p. 62⟩his peoples good; God saith, you must see your sins, and be humbled for them: and therefore let us labour to make men see them, (as the Apostle saith,2 I hope we were made manifest to your Consciences; Did not your Consciences say so, that you could not gain-say it?) we must take up that course the Scripture hath revealed, and which the faithful servants of God have ever used, and which God hath ever blessed: nay, it is our wisdom so to do.3 Matthew the seventh and the last, Christ taught the people with authority, not as the Scribes: there is a kind of commanding power which the word ought to have upon mens Consciences, if a man be a sinner it will reprove him, and command reproofs to seize upon him, and if he be in distress of Conscience, it will command comfort to take place in his heart.
The last use for instruction to all my fellow brethren:1 let me speake a word to them and to my selfe too; let us all take that course in dealing with the people, and Gods ordinances, which God himselfe takes up; As the steward disposeth of every thing at his masters will, and the Apothecary orders drugges as the Physitian appoints, so let it be with us to, we are but stewards and Apothecaries; let us take that course, and use those meanes that God hath appointed for ⟨p. 62⟩his peoples good; God saith, you must see your sinnes, and be humbled for them: and therefore let us labour to make men see them, (as the Apostle saith,