A39682:176
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.
This is a cure by diversion: 'tis a rare piece of Christian Wisdom to turn those passions of the soul which most predominate into spiritual Channels, to turn natural anger into spiritual zeal, natural mirth into holy cheerfulness, and natural fear into an holy dread and awe of God. This method of Cure Christ prescribes in that fore-mentioned place Mat. 10. like to which is that in Isa. 8. 12, 13. Fear not their fear: But how shall we help it? Why, sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear and your dread. Natural fear may be allayed for present by natural reason, or the removal of the occasion, but then 'tis but like a Candle blown out with a puff of ⟨p. 87⟩breath, which is easily blown in again, but it the fear of God extinguish it, then 'tis like a Candle quenched in water, which cannot easily be re-kindled.
This is a cure by diversion: 'tis a rare piece of Christian Wisdom to turn those passions of the soul which most predominate into spiritual Channels, to turn natural anger into spiritual zeal, natural mirth into holy chearfulness, and natural fear into an holy dread and awe of God. This method of Cure Christ prescribes in that fore-mentioned place Mat. 10. like to which is that in Isa. 8. 12, 13. Fear not their fear: But how shall we help it? Why, sanctifie the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear and your dread. Natural fear may be allayed for present by natural reason, or the removal of the occasion, but then 'tis but like a Candle blown out with a puff of ⟨p. 87⟩breath, which is easily blown in again, but it the fear of God extinguish it, then 'tis like a Candle quencht in water, which cannot easily be re-kindled.