A03611:348
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.
I conclude this; naturally all men are locked up under infidelity, now the Lord opens their hearts severally, you know some locks are new and fresh, and therefore an easy key may open them, but some locks are old and rusty, and therefore must be broken open by force of hand; so it is with some mens hearts, howsoever sin prevails over the hearts of civill men, and they are full of pride, and the like; and yet their hearts are kept clear from rusting, by restraining grace; now the Lord will draw that man by the key of his spirit, and kindly withdraw him from his sin. But if a man have been an old rusty drunkard, or adulterer, no key can open his heart; alas, it is not a little matter will do the deed, it is not now and then a gracious promise that will break his heart: But the Lord must come down from heaven, and break open the door by strong hand, by awaking his conscience, that all the country rings of him.
I conclude this; naturally all men are locked up under infidelity, now the Lord opēs their hearts severally, you know some lockes are new and fresh, and therefore an easie key may open them, but some lockes are old and rusty, and therefore must be broken open by force of hand; so it is with some mens hearts, howsoever sin prevailes over the hearts of civill men, and they are full of pride, and the like; and yet their hearts are kept cleare frō rusting, by restrayning grace; now the Lord will draw that man by the key of his spirit, and kindly withdraw him from his sinne. But if a man have beene an old rusty drunkard, or adulterer, no key can open his heart; alas, it is not a little matter will doe the deed, it is not now and then a gratious promise that will breake his heart: But the Lord must come downe from heaven, and breake open the doore by strong hand, by awaking his conscience, that all the countrey rings of him.
You know all mens hearts are compared to stones;1 some stones are soft, you may crush them to pieces with your hands, and some are flints which must have many blows before they will break, so it is with the heart: while it hath not been melted and softened by humility, the Lord must break it open by main force, and as it is with a tree, some branches are young and smooth without knots; and some are old ones, and full of knots; now if a man come every day and give a little cut at the tender branch, at last it will off easily; but it is no cutting of an old tree with a