A03611:422
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.
Object. Oh! many are they that have it; could I fear God as I should, and seek for mercy as I ought, then there were some hope, but I have no heart to endeavour or desire after any mercy, and I cannot bring my soul, nor submit my will to yield, and therefore shall I ever have any mercy?
Object. Oh! many are they that have it; could I feare God as I should, and seeke for mercy as I ought, then there were some hope, but I have no heart to endeavour or desire after any mercy, and I cannot bring my soule, nor submit my will to yeild, and therefore shall I ever have any mercy?
Answ. Why not thou too? Doth God sell his mercy? No, he gives it freely, God keeps open house: Oh the freeness of that mercy and goodness that is in God! he requires nothing of thee to procure it, but he shows mercy because he will show mercy; thou hast no will, but God hath a will: and his showing of mercy depends not on thy will, but upon his own freewill: It is true, God will make a man will and break his heart, because no man otherwise can be saved, but it is as true, that Christ will give you brokenness of heart as well as heaven and salvation. I will take away the heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh, and cause you to walk in my ways, 1saith the Lord: hold this truth in thy soul: As there is no worth in the soul that can deserve any thing at Gods hands: so there is no sin (the sin against the holy Ghost only excepted) that can hinder the freeness of Gods grace from saving of us: if thou belong to him, he will hale thee to heaven and pull thee from hell, he will make thee lie in the dust, and wait for mercy, & come grovelling for his grace, and that freely, without any thing on thy part: Who is a God like to thee (saith Micah) who pardonest ⟨p. 217⟩iniquity,2 because mercy doth please thee?