A03611:387
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.
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.
Againe, if a mans heart be soundly broken, though he fal into some sinne, he may be recalled; but if he have not his heart soundly broken; he is undone. If the foundation be naught, the building must needes fall; So it is in this preparation of the soule for Christ, if this be naught, all comes to naught; therefore be so much the more fearefull of your soules, because your condition is so much the more tickle in this, then in any thing else, and rather desire soundnesse then quietnesse.
Secondly, when God stirs, do you stir your hearts too, be you stabbed further, & make the blow go deeper, therefore wheresoever any truth goeth near thy heart, and awakens thee, look up to heaven, and bless God for it, and labour to drive the nail home to the head, and make the salve sink into the bottom; And let me advise you to this, when your souls are ⟨p. 203⟩wrought upon by any reproofs or admonitions, take that truth, and labour to maintain the power of it upon your hearts all the week after; and let your souls be awed by it.
Secondly, when God stirres, doe you stirre your hearts too, be you stabbed further, & make the blow goe deeper, therefore wheresoever any truth goeth neere thy heart, and awakens thee, looke up to heaven, and blesse God for it, and labour to drive the naile home to the head, and make the salve sinke into the bottome; And let me advise you to this, when your soules are ⟨p. 203⟩