A39680:656
Sacramental meditations upon divers select places of scripture
Sacramental meditations upon divers select places of scripture wherein believers are assisted in preparing their hearts, and exciting their affections and graces, when they draw nigh to God in that most awful and solemn ordinance of the Lords Supper / by Jo. Flavel ...
London: printed for Jacob Sampson, 1679
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.
3. Direction.
Mourn over all those sins that cause the Lord to hide his Face from your souls. Have you grieved the Spirit by your sin, O, be grieved for it this day at your very hearts; cover the Table of the Lord with tears: Look upon him whom you have pierced, and mourn as for an only Son. Though there be no merit, yet there is much mercy in a broken heart for sin; and there is no such advantage to get your hearts broken as this is, which is now before you. When the showeth of Repentance is fallen, the Heavens over thee may be clear, and the Sun shine out in its brightness upon thy soul.
4. Direction.
In a word, pour out thy soul to God in hearty desires for a sealed and clear interest in his love this day; tell him, it is a mercy thou valuest above life, Thy favour is better than life, Psal. 63. 3. Tell him, thou art not able to live with the jealousies and suspicions of his love; thou art but a torment to thy self, whilst thy interest in his love abides under a cloud. Beseech him to pity thy poor afflicted soul, which hath lain down and risen so long with these fears and tremblings, and been a stranger to comfort for so many days. Tell him how weak thy hands have been, and still are in duties of obedience, for want of this strength and encouragement. Engage thy soul to him this day to be more active, cheerful, and fruitful in his service, i it will please him now to free thee from those fears and doubts that have clogged thee in all thy former duties. O, cry unto him in the words, and with