A03611:207
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.
First, concerning the former, we must consider the grounds whereupon meditation must be raised, and them I refer to these four heads. First, labour to see the mercy, goodness, and patience of God, that have been abused and despised by that unkind dealing of ours, and that marvellous carelessness, those duties, God hath required of us, the height of Gods goodness to us lays out the height of all our iniquities committed: The greater the kindness and mercy of God is, the greater are our sins, that esteem not of this mercy, but abuse it, and despise it; This adds to our rebellions, this makes our sins out of measure sinful, because God hath been out of measure merciful.
First, concerning the former, we must consider the grounds whereupon meditation must be raised, and them I referre to these foure heads. First, labour to see the mercy, goodnesse, and patience of God, that have beene abused and despised by that unkinde dealing of ours, and that marvelous carelesnesse, those duties, God hath required of us, the height of Gods goodnesse to us lays out the height of all our iniquities cōmitted: The greater the kindnesse and mercy of God is, the greater are our sinnes, that esteeme not of this mercy, but abuse it, and despise it; This adds to our rebellions, this makes our sinnes out of measure sinfull, because God hath beene out of measure mercifull.
There are many sins in one, when a man sinneth ⟨p. 101⟩against many mercies, and walks not worthy of them,1 we may observe, that this is the course that God takes to break the hearts of the Israelites, when they had neglected his ways, and broken his commandments: what was his message, when the Lord humbled the people and brake them kindly? The Lord by the Angel thus speaks, I made you to go out of Egypt and brought you to the land which I sware to your fathers, and I said, I would never break my covenant with you, and ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of the land, But ye have not obeyed my voice; why have you done this work?