A39682:125
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.
9. Help. Lastly, it all this will not do, but thy heart (like Rachel) still refuses to be comforted, or quieted, then consider one thing m•re; which if seriously pondered, will doubtless do the work; and that is this: compare the condition thou art now in (and art so much dissatisfied with) with that condition others are, and thy self deservest to be in: Others are roaring in flames, howling under the scourge of vengeance, and amongst them I deserve to be. O my Soul! is this hell? is my condition as bad as the damned? O what would thousands now in Hell, give to change conditions with me? It is a famous instance which Doctor Tailor gives us of the Duke of Condey, 1I have read (saith he) that when the Duke of Condey had entered voluntarily into the inc•mmoditi•s of a religious ⟨p. 58⟩poverty, he was one day espied and pitied by a Lord of Italy, who out of tenderness wished him, to be more careful and nutritive of his person: the good Duke answered, Sir, be not troubled; and think not that I am ill provided of conveniences: for I send an harbinger before me, who makes ready my lodgings, and takes care that I be royally entertained. The Lord asked him, who was his harbinger? he answered, the knowledge of my self, and the consideration of what I deserve for my sins, which is eternal torments; and when with this knowledge I arrive at my lodging, how unprovided soever I find it; me thinks it is ever better then I deserve. Why doth the living man complain? and thus th• heart may be kept from desponding or repining under adversity.
9. Help. Lastly, it all this will not do, but thy heart (like Rachel) still refuses to be comforted, or quie•ed, then consider one thing m•re; which if seriously pondered, will doubtless do the work; and that is this: compare the condition thou art now in (and art so much dissatisfied with) with that condition others are, and thy self deservest to be in: Oth•rs are roaring in flames, howling under the scourge of vengeance, and amongst them I deserve to be. O my Soul! is this hell? is my condition as bad as the damned? O what would thousands now in Hell, give to change conditions with me? It is a famous instance which Doctor Tayler gives us of the Duke of Condey,