A03611:386
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.
This is a great point of wisdom, and sinks many a Christian, (I know what I say,) as it is with child bearing, a woman when her throws ⟨p. 202⟩come often and strong, there is some hope of deliverance; but when her throws go away, commonly the child dies, and her life too. So it is in this great work of contrition, which is nothing else, but the child-birth of the soul; when your throws go away, take heed that your salvation goes not too; once you could say, the minister spake home to my heart, I remember the time full well; Why then what becomes of all your sorrow? You can be as carnal & as secure as ever? it is certain you are in child-bearing, but your throws have left you, and your brokenness of heart is gone, and therefore you are in an ill case, surely at some low ebb of grace.
This is a great point of wisedome, and sinks many a Christian, (I know what I say,) as it is with child bearing, a woman when her throwes ⟨p. 202⟩come often and strong, there is some hope of deliverance; but when her throwes goe away, commonly the child dies, and her life too. So it is in this great work of contrition, which is nothing else, but the child-birth of the soule; when your throwes goe away, take heed that your salvation goes not too; once you could say, the minister spake home to my heart, I remember the time full well; Why then what becomes of all your sorrow? You can be as carnal & as secure as ever? it is certaine you are in child-bearing, but your throwes have left you, and your brokennesse of heart is gone, and therefore you are in an ill case, surely at some low ebbe of grace.
Again, if a mans heart be soundly broken, though he fall into some sin, he may be recalled; but if he have not his heart soundly broken; he is undone. If the foundation be naught, the building must needs fall; So it is in this preparation of the soul for Christ, if this be naught, all comes to naught; therefore be so much the more fearful of your souls, because your condition is so much the more tickle in this, then in any thing else, and rather desire soundness then quietness.