A03611:538
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.
Had I a heart to fear GOD, and to love him, and depend upon him, in poverty God would enrich me, and in shame he would honour me, and in misery he would comfort me: It is not poverty, nor shame, that doth hurt me; but sin lies, and venoms my soul.
Had I a heart to feare GOD, and to love him, and depend upon him, in poverty God would inrich mee, and in shame hee would honour mee, and in misery hee would comfort mee: It is not povertie, nor shame, that doth hurt mee; but sinne lyes, and venomes my soule.
And therefore the soul now cries, Men and Brethren, What shall I do to be freed from these corruptions? Great are the evils that I have found, and marvellous are the plagues that I have felt, by reason of my sins: but far worse will that portion be, that I shall have in hell, in endless torments hereafter: this will be the perfection of all misery; let it be any thing rather then this: it is better here now to be plagued, then everlastingly damned.
And therefore the soule now cryes, Men and Brethren, What shall I doe to bee freed from these corruptions? Great are the evills that I have found, and marvellous are the plagues that I have felt, by reason of my sinnes: but farre worse will that portion bee, that I shall have in hell, in endlesse torments hereafter: this will bee the perfection of all misery; let it bee any thing rather then this: it is better here now to be plagued, then everlastingly damned.
1The first Use is a ground of admirable comfort, and strong consolation to all such as have found this dislike and hatred of sin: he may be sure his heart hath been broken for sin, and so consequently, he shall certainly have Christ and grace.