A05817:959
The Practice of Piety
The practise of piety directing a Christian how to walk that he may please God.The practise of pietie directing a Christian how to walke that he may please God.
London: printed for John Hodgets, 1613London: printed for Iohn Hodgets, 1613
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.
6 Sanctified affliction, is a singular help to further our true conversion: and to drive us home by repentance to our heavenly Father. In their affliction (saith the Lord) they will seek me diligently. 1Aegypts burdens made Israel cry unto GOD.2 3Davids troubles made him pray. 4Hezekias sickness made ⟨p. 833⟩him to weep and misery drove the Prodigal child,5 to return and sue for his Fathers grace and mercy. Yea, we read of many in the Gospel, that (by sicknesses and affliction) were driven to come into CHRIST; who (if they had health and prosperity, as others;) would have (like others) neglected, or contemned their Saviour: and never have sought unto him for his saving health, and grace. For as the Ark of Noah; the higher it was tossed with the flood, the nearer it mounted towards heaven: so the sanctified Soul, the more it is exercised with affliction, the nearer it is listed towards GOD. Oh blessed ⟨p. 834⟩is that cross, that draweth a sinner to *come (upon the knees of his heart) unto Christ, to confess his own misery, and to implore his endless mercy! Oh blessed, aye blessed be that Christ, that never refuseth the sinner, that cometh unto him, though weather-driven by affliction and misery!
6 Sanctified affliction, is a singular helpe to further our true conuersion: and to driue vs home by repentance to our heauenly Father. In their affliction (saith the Lord) they will seeke mee diligently. 1Aegypts burdens made Israel cry vnto GOD.