A03611:228
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.
Secondly, if the soul will not seek out to Christ for help and comfort, it is because the heart is not content in good earnest to be ruled by Christ, that Christ should come and take possession of the soul, and do all; therefore if the heart cling to corruption, it is content that Christ should ease it, but not that Christ should sanctify it, and remove that corruption that hath prevailed over it; and therefore when a man is under the sight of sin, he would fain have God show mercy unto him, and yet he will not pray, nor read, nor use the means but dwells upon the meditation of his sins, and neglects many ordinances of God, whereby it may receive ⟨p. 119⟩comfort: this man would have a Christ to quiet him, but not to rule him, and take possession of him, and this is the reason why, in these cases the soul is never commonly kindly stricken, these would fain have quiet and comfort; ••d yet they will not be driven to holy duties, nor be content that Christ should rule in them, they are content to commit the sin, but they would have pardon for it.
Secondly, if the soule will not seeke out to Christ for helpe and comfort, it is because the heart is not content in good earnest to be ruled by Christ, that Christ should come and take possession of the soule, and doe all; therefore if the heart cling to corruption, it is content that Christ should ease it, but not that Christ should sanctifie it, and remove that corruption that hath prevailed over it; and therefore when a man is under the sight of sinne, he would faine have God shew mercy unto him, and yet he will not pray, nor read, nor use the meanes but dwels upon the meditation of his sinnes, and neglects many ordinances of God, whereby it may receive ⟨p. 119⟩comfort: this man would have a Christ to quiet him, but not to rule him, and take possession of him, and this is the reason why, in these cases the soule is never commonly kindly striken, these would faine have quiet and comfort; ••d yet they will not be driven to holy duties, nor be content that Christ should rule in them, they are content to commit the sinne, but they would have pardon for it.