A03611:360
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.
It is the sign of a soul wholly denoted to destruction, that hath a desperate disdain against poor wounded creatures, O saith one, I hope you have hearing enough have you not? it may be you will tumble down into a well or hang your self, will you not? Oh fearful, is it possible there should harbour such a spirit in any man? ⟨p. 187⟩there is not a greater brand of a man denoted to destruction then this; I do not say only he is stark naught for the present, but it is a fearful brand of a man denoted to eternal destruction; if the devil himself were upon earth I cannot conceive what he could do worse.
It is the signe of a soule wholy denoted to destruction, that hath a desperate disdaine against poore wounded creatures, O saith one, I hope you have hearing enough have you not? it may be you will tumble downe into a well or hang your selfe, will you not? Oh fearefull, is it possible there should harbour such a spirit in any man? ⟨p. 187⟩there is not a greater brand of a man denoted to destruction then this; I doe not say onely he is starke naught for the present, but it is a fearefull brand of a man denoted to eternall destruction; if the devill himselfe were upon earth I cannot conceive what he could doe worse.
When the woman was about to be delivered, the Red Dragon was there ready to destroy the child,1 & see what the Prophet David saith of such, Lord pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that know not thee, 2and the Kingdoms that have not known thy name; let thy wrathful displeasure take hold of them that add iniquity unto iniquity, & let them not come into thy righteousness, let them be blotted out of thy book. Whats the reason of this? why did David make this imprecation, and say; Lord se open the gates of hell, that thy wrath may fall upon the souls of such as these are, the text saith, they persecute him whom thou hast smitten: the Lord smites a poor sinner, and thou art ready to persecute him too; the Lord hath wounded him, & wilt thou stab him to the heart; Good Lord! add iniquity to iniquity! The sin is marvellous, and the curse unconceivable.