A39682:195
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. Consid. This affliction though great, is not such an affliction but God hath far greater, with which he chastises the dearly beloved of his soul in this World, and should •e remove this, and inflict those, you would account your present state a very comfortable state, and bless God to be as now you are.
4. Consid. This afliction though great, is not such an affliction but God hath far greater, with which he chastises the dearly beloved of his soul in this World, and should •e remove this, and inflict those, you would account your present state a very comfortable state, and blesse God to be as now you are.
What think ye Sirs? should God remove your present troubles, supply all your outward wants, give you the desire of your hearts in Creature-comforts, but hide his face from you, shoot his arrows into your souls, and cause the venom of them to drink up your spirits? Should he leave you but a few days to the buffe•ing of Satan and his blasphemous injections? should he •old your eyes but a few nights waking with horrors of Conscience, tossing to and fro till the dawning of the day? should he lead you through the Chambers of death? Show you the visions of darkness? and make ⟨p. 97⟩his terrors set themselves in array against you? then tell me if you would not count it a choice mercy to be back again in your former necessitous condition, with peace of Conscience; and count bread and water, with Gods favour a happy state? O then! take heed of repining. Say not God deals hardly with you, least you provoke him to convince you, by your own sense and feeling, that he hath worse Rods than these for unsubmissive and forward Children.
What think ye Sirs? should God remove your present troubles, supply all your outward wants, give you the desire of your hearts in Creature-comforts, but hide his face from you, shoot his arrows into your souls, and cause the venom of them to drink up your spirits? Should he leave you but a few dayes to the buffeing of Satan and his blasphemous injections? should he old your eyes but a few nights waking with horrors of Conscience, tssing to and fro till the dawning of the day? should he lead you through the Chambers of death? Shew you the visions of darkness? and make