A03611:431
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.
Answ. Yes, for as God is all-sufficient, and his promise free, so he hath plenty of mercy for the worst, he exceeds in mercy all the sins that can be; (except that against the holy Ghost) and therefore the soul throws it self upon this, the Apostle saith, Where sin abounds, grace abounds much more: lest any man should say,1 Let us sin that grace may abound, the text saith in another place, whose damnation is just. This knocks off fingers, though a sinful wretch abuse God and Grace, yet mercy will overcome the heart in this case, but it will cost him dear; though thou turnest the grace of God into wantonness, the Lord will turn that wantonness of thine into bitterness; the Lord will sting that heart of thine one day, and make thee see whether it be good to forsake mercy when it is offered; it will be easier for Sodom then for thee, when thou shalt see a company of poor Sodomites fry in hell; howsoever God may bring thee to heaven, yet he will make thee fry in hell, and he will make thee think a Sodomite to be in a better condition for the present then thou art.
Answ. Yes, for as God is al-sufficient, and his promise free, so he hath plenty of mercy for the worst, he exceeds in mercy all the sinnes that can be; (except that against the holy Ghost) and therefore the soule throwes it selfe upon this, the Apostle saith, Where sinne abounds, grace abounds much more: lest any man should say,1 Let us sinne that grace may abound, the text saith in another place, whose damnation is just. This knockes off fingers, though a sinfull wretch abuse God and Grace, yet mercy will overcome the heart in this case, but it will cost him deare; though thou turnest the grace of God into wantonnesse, the Lord will turne that wantonnesse of thine into bitternesse; the Lord will sting that heart of thine one day, and make thee see whether it be good to forsake mercy when it is offered; it will be easier for Sodome then for thee, when thou shalt see a company of poore Sodomites frie in hell; howsoever God may bring thee to heaven, yet he will make thee frie in hell, and he will make thee thinke a Sodomite to be in a better condition for the present then thou art.