A39682:189
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.
'Tis better be as low as Hell with a Promise, than in Paradise without one. Even the darkness of Hell it self would be comparatively no darkness at all, ⟨p. 92⟩were there but a promise to enlighten it. Now God hath left many sweet Promises for the faith of his poor people to feed on in this condition, such are these: Psalm 34. 9. 10. O fear the Lord ye his Saints, for there is no want to them tha• fear him; the Lions do lack and suffer hunger, but they that fear the Lord shall want nothing that is good. Psalm 33. 18, 19. The eye of the Lo•d is upon the righteous, to keep them alive in famine. Psalm 84. 11. N• good thing will be with-hold from them that walk uprightly. R•m. 8. 32. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Isa. 41. 17. when the poor and the needy seek water and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst; I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. Here you see, first their extreme wants, water being put even for the necessaries of life, (2) their certain relief, I the Lord will hear them; in which it is supposed, that they cry unto him in their straits; and he hears their cry.
'Tis better be as low as Hell with a Prom•se, than in Paradise without one. Even the darkness of Hell it self would be comparatively no darkness at all, ⟨p. 92⟩were there but a promise to enlighten it. Now God hath left many sweet Promises for the faith of his poor people to feed on in this condition, such are these: Psalm 34. 9. 10