A03611:451
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.
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.
Whereas the hypocrite that is in feare of some judgements, and the wrath of God hath seazed upon his soule; that he may get ease, will promise any thing, and be marvelous open, and yet confident in himselfe, and say, if God would give me health, and raise me up againe, all the world ⟨p. 227⟩shall see I will be a new man, and they shall see how holy, and how carefull, and how exact I will be: yet, poore soule, when he is out of his trouble, he returnes 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 satisfie himselfe with his body and goods, he desires he may be no loser by him, hee suspects hee shall not be able to pay him, but he hopes, so farre as hee 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 soule that is truly broken for sinne, he layes himselfe in Gods presence, and referres himselfe into Gods hands, and saith, The truth is, Lord, I know, this proud corrupt heart of mine will not yeeld, it wil deceive me: I am afraid I shal not be able to walk holily: take this heart of mine, and doe what thou wilt with it, only purge out my sinne and corruption: this is the manner of his confession.