A03611:349
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.
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 ⟨p. 182⟩pen-knife, but a man must take an axe, and give many a sore cut, that all the people in the town may hear it.
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 blowes before they will breake, so it is with the heart: while it hath not beene melted and softned by humility, the Lord must breake it open by maine 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 ⟨p. 182⟩pen-knife, but a man must take an axe, and give many a sore cut, that all the people in the towne may heare it.
- 1Mans heart is like a stone.
All men grow upon the root of sin, which is Adams rebellion: some are young, and have not grown knotty in a rebellious course; every Sabbath day the Lord gives a cut at him by his counsels, and by his threatenings, and by his promises; at last it falls off kindly, and they are content to part with their sins, and to rest upon Christ for mercy. Another man is an old sturdy vile wretch an over-grown adulterer and drunkard, and his heart is blinded in sin: I tell you, if ever the Lord cut off this man from his base course, he must come with a mighty hand, and with his book of the Law: God is ever laying at his soul, blow after blow, and so at last he begins to forsake his wicked courses. What (saith one) is such a man turned? he was as heavy a persecutor as ever the Sun saw: his father was an enemy to all goodness, and he was as bad; Like father like son: Hath the Lord brought him home? Yes, now he sends to the faithful Ministers, and to Gods people for comfort and direction.