A03611:450
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.
Thirdly, the soul that is truly broken, makes confession with an inward resolution never to meddle with sin any more; yet all this while the soul is full of fear and suspicion, for fear of falling into those sins again, therefore it desires rather to discover it self by desires and wishes, then any confidence in it self; and therefore the soul saith, O that the Lord would once give me power against these corruptions; oh how happy should I be, but alas I have no power of my self; the soul is willing to fling it self into the arms of Gods mercy, and to commit himself wholly to the means of grace, that God may get himself honour by him; only he desires him to be good unto him by giving of him power against his corruptions.
Thirdly, the soule that is truly broken, makes confession with an inward resolution never to meddle with sinne any more; yet all this while the soule is full of feare and suspition, for feare of falling into those sinnes againe, therefore it desires rather to discover it selfe by desires and wishes, then any confidence in it selfe; and therefore the soule saith, O that the Lord would once give me power against these corruptions; oh how happy should I be, but alas I have no power of my selfe; the soule is willing to fling it selfe into the armes of Gods mercy, and to commit himselfe wholly to the meanes of grace, that God may get himselfe honour by him; only he desires him to be good unto him by giving of him power against his corruptions.
Whereas the hypocrite that is in fear of some judgements, and the wrath of God hath seized upon his soul; that he may get ease, will promise any thing, and be marvellous open, and yet confident in himself, and say, if God would give me health, and raise me up again, all the world ⟨p. 227⟩shall see I will be a new man, and they shall see how holy, and how careful, and how exact I will be: yet, poor soul, when he is out of his trouble, he returns to his vomit, & is worse then before, and so much the worse, because he hath made an open confession. As it is with a debtor, an honest man comes freely, & doth acknowledge his deb, and desires the creditor to satisfy himself with his body and goods, he desires he may be no loser by him, he suspects he shall not be able to pay him, but he hopes, so far as he is able, to give him content: but another cunning mate promiseth to pay all, if he will give him further day, but intends no such matter. Just so it is with a soul that is truly broken for sin, he lays himself in Gods presence, and refers himself into Gods hands, and saith, The truth is, Lord, I know, this proud corrupt heart of mine will not yield, it will deceive me: I am afraid I shall not be able to walk holily: take this heart of mine, and do what thou wilt with it, only purge out my sin and corruption: this is the manner of his confession.