A03611:525
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.
1First, if the soul doth truly hate sin, then it is very willing to make search for it in every corner of the heart. And any sin that he cannot know himself, he is willing that any Christian, or any friend should make them known unto him; A King that hates a traitor that would kill him, and a man that hates a thief that would rob him, they are willing that any man should discover that traitor or thief,2 and they will entertain him kindly, and reward him for it.
1First, if the soule doth truly hate sin, then it is very willing to make search for it in every corner of the heart. And any sinne that he cannot know himselfe, he is willing that any Christian, or any friend should make them knowne unto him; A King that hates a traitor that would kill him, and a man that hates a thiefe that would robbe him, they are willing that any man should discover that traitor or thiefe,2 and they will entertaine him kindly, and reward him for it.
- 1Wherein a true dislike of sin consists.Wherein a true dislike of sinne consists.
- 2He desires to have his sin discovered.He desires to have his sinne discovered.
When the Ziphites came to Saul, 1and told him where David was, mark what he saith, Oh blessed be ye of the Lord, for you have had compassion upon me. Just so it is with a broken bleeding heart, that hath an open hatred against his corruptions; if any Minister or Christian will make known some base lusts that lurk in his soul, he will not fly out, and say, What is that to you? Every tub must stand upon his own bottom, and if I sin I must answer for it: Nay, he will bless the Lord for it, and say, Blessed be the Lord, and blessed be such a Minister, & blessed be such a neighbour, for they have showed me my sin, and had compassion upon my soul.