A03611:352
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.
Sometime the work is secret, and the soul ⟨p. 183⟩apprehends it not because it is so, and though he do, yet it is an unknown work to him, he knows not what to make of it, he can find in his heart to hate those and those sinful courses, yet he cannot see how this was wrought in him: Mans spirit is such that he misjudgeth the work; but give me a Christian that God doth please to work upon in this extraordinary manner, and to break his heart soundly, & to throw him down to some purpose, though it cost him dear: this man walks with more ear and conscience, and hath more comfort coming to himself, and gives more glory to God, whereas the other doth but little good in his place, and hath little comfort coming to him.
Sometime the worke is secret, and the soule ⟨p. 183⟩apprehends it not because it is so, and though he doe, yet it is an unknowne worke to him, hee knowes not what to make of it, he can finde in his heart to hate those and those sinfull courses, yet he cannot see how this was wrought in him: Mans spirit is such that he misjudgeth the worke; but give me a Christian that God doth please to worke upon in this extraordinary manner, and to breake his heart soundly, & to throw him downe to some purpose, though it cost him deare: this man walkes with more eare and conscience, and hath more comfort comming to himselfe, and gives more glory to God, wheras the other doth but little good in his place, and hath little comfort comming to him.
Therefore labour for soundness in this work, and then for ever sound: but if once deluded here, then for ever cozened, and everlastingly damned.
Therefore labour for soundnes in this worke, and then for ever sound: but if once deluded here, then for ever cozened, and everlastingly damned.