A03611:521
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.
1There is this difference between sorrow and hatred; sorrow feels the burden, but hatred ⟨p. 249⟩flings it away; sorrow looseneth the heart, but hatred lets out the corruption; sorrow saith, doth sin thus pinch the soul? and hatred saith, no more sin then; thus the Lord by his Spirit prepares the soul.
1There is this difference betweene sorrow and hatred; sorrow feeles the burthen, but hatred ⟨p. 249⟩flings it away; sorrow loosneth the heart, but hatred lets out the corruption; sorrow saith, doth sinne thus pinch the soule? and hatred saith, no more sinne then; thus the Lord by his Spirit prepares the soule.
- 1Difference betwixt sorrow for sin, and hatred of sin.Difference betwixt sorrow for sinne, and hatred of sin.
For the proof of this point, see what the Prophet saith,1 You shall consider your ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loath your selves. A poor Christian would tear his heart in pieces in the apprehension of his own vileness, and saith, Good Lord, shall I ever be plagued and annoyed with this sturdy malicious heart? and shall I ever carry this vile heart about me, that will one day carry me to hell, if thou be not the more merciful? this makes a man even fall out with himself. Again, see what the Apostle saith, for this thing you have had godly sorrow, but what hath it wrought in you? doth it work a holy indignation and revenge against your sinful courses? that when thy soul seeth his filthy abominations rising, swelling, and bubbling within thy heart, it takes on exceedingly, and will scarce own it self; but looks away from sin, and is weary of it self, in regard of the same; Nay, (if it were possible) that thou couldest be content to live without a heart, even to forgo thy self, that so thou mayest not be troubled with that vile heart of thine, and so dishonour God no longer. I beseech you observe it, when a man is brought thus far, oh he cries to God, and saith, Lord was there ever any poor sinner thus pestered with a vile heart? Oh that this heart should ever be so