A39682:108
A Saint Indeed
A saint indeed: or The great work of a Christian, opened and pressed; from Prov. 4. 23 Being a seasonable and proper expedient for the recovery of the much decayed power of godliness, among the professors of these times. By John Flavell M. of the Gospel.
London: printed by W.R., 1668
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.
4. Then Fourthly, Consider how bitterly many persons have bewailed their folly when they came to dye, that ever they set their hearts upon these things, and heartily wish, that they had never known them. What a sad story was that of Pius Quintus, who dying, cried out despairingly, when I was in a low condition, I had some hopes of Salvation, but when I was advanced ⟨p. 42⟩to be a Cardinal, I greatly doubted it, but since I came to the Popedom, I have no hope at all. Mr. Spencer also tells us a real, but sad story, of a rich oppressor, who had s•taped up a great estate for his only Son; when he came to dye, he called his Son to him, and said, Son, do you indeed love me? the Son answered, That nature, besides his paternal indulgence, obliged him to that; then said the Father express it by this, hold thy finger in the Candle as long as I am saying a Pater noster; the Son attempted, but could not endure it; upon that the Father brake out into these expressions, Thou canst not suffer the burning of thy finger for me, but to get this wealth, I have hazarded my soul for thee, and must burn body and soul in Hell for thy sake, thy pains would have been but for a moment, but mine will be unquenchable fire.
4. Then Fourthly, Consider how bitterly many persons have bewailed their folly when they came to dye, that ever they set their hearts upon these things, and heartily wish, that they had never known them. What a sad story was that of Pius Quintus, who dying, cryed out despairingly, when I was in a low condition, I had some hopes of Salvation, but when I was advanced ⟨p. 42⟩to be a Cardinal, I greatly doubted it, but since I came to the Popedome, I have no hope at all. Mr. Spencer also tells us a real, but sad story, of a rich oppressour, who had s•taped up a great estate for his only Son; when he came to dye, he called his Son to him, and said, Son, do you indeed love me? the Son answered, That nature, besides his paternal indulgence, obliged him to that; then said the Father express it by this, hold thy finger in the Candle as long as I am saying a Pater noster; the Son attempted, but could not endure it; upon that the Father brake out into these expressions, Thou canst not suffer the burning of thy finger for me, but to get this wealth, I have hazarded my soul for thee, and must burn body and soul in Hell for thy sake, thy pains would have been but for a moment, but mine will be unquenchable fire.