A03611:496
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, saith one, this is contrary to common reason; we are afraid to have our sins known, that is our trouble, we keep our sins close, because we would preserve our honour.
Object. Oh, saith one, this is contrary to common reason; we are affraid to have our sinnes knowne, that is our trouble, we keepe our sinnes close, because we would preserve our honour.
Answ. I say, the only way for secrecy, is to reveal our sins to some faithful Minister; for if we confess ⟨p. 244⟩our sins, God will cover them; if you take shame to your selves, God will honour you; but if you will not confess your sins, God will break open the door of your hearts, and let in the light of his truth, and the convicting power of his Spirit, and make it known to men and Angels, to the shame of your persons for ever.
Answ. I say, the only way for secrecie, is to reveal our sinnes to some faithfull Minister; for if we confesse ⟨p. 244⟩our sinnes, God will cover them; if you take shame to your selves, God will honour you; but if you will not confesse your sinnes, God will breake open the doore of your hearts, and let in the light of his truth, and the convicting power of his Spirit, and make it knowen to men and Angels, to the shame of your persons for ever.
If Judas had taken notice of his sin, and yielded to Christs accusation, and desired some conference with Christ privately, (and said, Good Lord, I am that Judas, and that hell-hound that have received mercy from thee in the outward means, and have been entertained among thy people, yet it is I that have taken the thirty pence, Lord pardon this sin, and never let this iniquity be laid to my charge;) I doubt not but though Judas his soul could not be saved (because that now we know Gods decree of him) yet God would have saved him from the public shame that was cast upon him for it: but he did not do so, but hid his malice in his heart, and professed great matters of love to Christ, and kissed him, and thus he thought to cover his sin wisely: but what became of that? the Lord forced him to come and to indict himself in the high priests hall, before the temporal and spiritual counsel.