A39682:206
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 hard indeed to bear an affliction coming upon us as the fruit and punishment of sin, when men are under trouble upon that account; they use to say, O! if it were but a single affliction coming from the hand of God by way of trial, I could bear it, but I have brought it upon my self by sin, it comes as the punishment of sin; the marks of Gods displeasure are upon it, 'tis the guilt within that troubles and galls, more than the want without.
'Tis hard indeed to bear an affliction coming upon us as the fruit and punishment of sin, when men are under trouble upon that account; they use to say, O! if it were but a single affliction coming from the hand of God by way of tryal, I could bear it, but I have brought it upon my self by sin, it comes as the punishment of sin; the marks of Gods displeasure are upon it, 'tis the guilt within that troubles and galls, more than the want without.
But it is not so here, and therefore you have no reason to be cast down under it.
Object. But though there be no sting of guilt, yet this condition wants not other stings: as first the discredit of Religion; I cannot comply with mine engagements in the world, and thereby Religion is like to suffer.
Sol. 'Tis well you have an heart to discharge every duty, et if God disable you by Providence, 'tis no discredit to your profession, because you do not that which you cannot do, so long as it is your desire, & endeavour to do what you can and ought to do, and in this case Gods will is that lenity and forbearance be exercised towards you, Det, 24. 12, 13.