A03611:189
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, it is a settled exercise for two ends; first, to make a further inquiry of the truth: and secondly, to make the heart affected therewith▪ for this is the nature of meditation, not to settle it self upon a thing known; but it would either know more in those truths that are subjected to it, or else labours to gather something from them; It is with the truth, as it is with a man which goeth into the house, and pulls the latch, when he was without, he might see the outside of the house, but he could not see the rooms within, unless he draws the latch, and comes in, ⟨p. 85⟩and go about the house: meditation pulls the latch of the truth, and sees, this is my sin, this is the cause, here is the misery, this is the plague: and thus meditation searcheth into every corner of the truth.
Thirdly, it is a setled exercise for two ends; first, to make a further inquiry of the truth: and secondly, to make the heart affected therewith▪ for this is the nature of meditation, not to settle it selfe upon a thing knowne; but it would either know more in those truthes that are subjected to it, or else labours to gather something from them; It is with the truth, as it is with a man which goeth into the house, and puls the latch, when he was without, he might see the outside of the house, but he could not see the roomes within, unlesse he drawes the latch, and comes in, ⟨p. 85⟩and goe about the house: meditation puls the latch of the truth, and sees, this is my sinne, this is the cause, here is the misery, this is the plague: and thus meditation searcheth into every corner of the truth.
Lastly, meditation labours to affect the heart, not only to know a thing, but to bring it home to the soul,1