A03611:489
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.
But (I assure you brethren) there is nothing that doth more set forth the honour of a Christian, and win the love of a minister, then this. Indeed it is a shame to commit sin, but no shame ⟨p. 242⟩to confess it upon good grounds; Nay, when the heart comes kindly off, it is admirable to see how a faithful minister will approve of such persons, his love is so great towards them; O, saith the minister, it did me good to hear that man confess so freely, I hope the Lord hath wrought kindly in him, certainly now he is in the way to life and happiness; oh how I love him, I could even be content to put that man in my bosom.
But (I assure you brethren) there is nothing that doth more set forth the honour of a Christian, and winne the love of a minister, then this. Indeed it is a shame to commit sinne, but no shame ⟨p. 242⟩to confesse it upon good grounds; Nay, when the heart comes kindly off, it is admirable to see how a faithfull minister will approve of such persons, his love is so great towards them; O, saith the minister, it did me good to heare that man confesse so freely, I hope the Lord hath wrought kindly in him, certainely now he is in the way to life and happinesse; oh how I love him, I could even be content to put that man in my bosome.
Whereas this overly, and loose dealing of yours, is loathsome to us; do you think we perceive it not? Yes, we may feel it with our fingers, and (when you are gone, I tell you what we think) surely that man is an hypocrite, he hath a hollow heart, he is not willing to take shame to himself for his sin, his confession never comes to the bottom.
Whereas this overly, and loose dealing of yours, is loathsome to us; doe you thinke we perceive it not? Yes, we may feele it with our fingers, and (when you are gone, I tell you what we thinke) surely that man is an hypocrite, he hath a hollow heart, he is not willing to take shame to himselfe for his sinne, his confession never comes to the bottome.