A03611:249
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.
As it was with Saul, so it is most commonly with us all, it may be a poor man drops into the Church, and the Lord lets in a light, and the Lord doth compass him about with some threatenings of the Law, and shows him the nature of sin, and the damnation that comes by it, and thereupon his thoughts begin to hurry in one upon another, and he retires home, and thinks thus with himself, surely the preacher spake strange things to day, if all be true that he spake, then certainly my condition is naught, surely there is more in sin then ever I thought of; I did always think that such sins as were gross and punishable by the Law of man, were abominable, and God was incensed against them, but what? will every wicked thought sink the soul into hell unless God pardon it? and is God so just, and so severe, and will he punish all sinners? and must I answer for all my petty oaths? If I shall be condemned for my words, and thoughts, it is a strange thing: well, I will inquire further of the matter, it is marvellous hard if it be true. Many a man hath been thus, and goeth no further for the present.
As it was with Saul, so it is most commonly with us all, it may be a poore man drops into the Church, and the Lord lets in a light, and the Lord doth compas him about with some threatnings of the Law, and shewes him the nature of sinne, and the damnation that comes by it, and thereupon his thoughts beginne to hurry in one upon another, and he retyres home, and thinks thus with himselfe, surely the preacher spake strange things to day, if all be true that he spake, then certainly my conditiō is naught, surely there is more in sinne then ever I thought of; I did alwaies thinke that such sinnes as were grosse and punishable by the Law of man, were abominable, and God was incensed against them, but what? will every wicked thought sinke the soule into hell unlesse God pardon it? and is God so just, and so severe, and will he punish all sinners? and must I answere for all my petty oathes? If I shall be condemned for my words, and thoughts, it is a strange thing: well, I will inquire further of the matter, it is marvelous hard if it be true. Many a man hath beene thus, and goeth no further for the present.