A03611:242
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, what is meant by heart; not to tyre you with any matter of signification, this word implieth two things specially, which concerns our purpose, both may be implied and intended, but the first is mainly implied and intended, it is not the natural part of a man which is in the middest of the body, that is, a fleshly heart; but it is the will it self, and that ability of •oule, whereby the heart saith, I will have this, and I will not have that. As the understanding is settled in the head, and keeps his sentinel there, so the will is seated in the heart, when it comes to taking or refusing, this is the office of the will, and •t discovers his act there; As our Saviour saith;1 Where your treasure is, there will your hearts be also. And (as the Apostle saith) a man confesseth with his mouth and believeth with his heart: So then they were not only pricked as with a pin, but this sorrow seizeth upon the soul, and pierceth unto the very will, it was not outward overly sorrow, but that which went to the very root, and entered into the very heart.
Secondly, what is meant by heart; not to tyre you with any matter of signification, this word implieth two things specially, which concerns our purpose, both may be implied and intended, but the first is mainely implied and intented, it is not the naturall part of a man which is in the middest of the body, that is, a fleshly heart; but it is the will it selfe, and that abilitie of •oule, whereby the heart saith, I will have this, and I will not have that. As the understanding is setled in the head, and keepes his sentinell there, so the will is seated in the heart, when it comes to taking or refusing, this is the office of the will, and •t discovers his act there; As our Saviour saith;1 Where your treasure is, there will your hearts be also. And (as the Apostle saith) a man confesseth with his mouth and beleeveth with his heart: So then they were not onely pricked as with a pinne, but this sorrow seiseth upon the soule, and pierceth unto the very will, it was not outward overly sorrow, but that which went to the very root, and entred into the very heart.