A39682:232
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.
8. Help. Look upon the success and sweetness of thy duties, as very much depending upon the keeping of thy heart close with God in them.
These two things, the success, and sweetness of duty, are as dear to a Christian as his two eyes: and both of these must necessarily be lost, if the heart be lost in duty, Job 35. 13. Surely God heareth not vanity, neither doth the Almighty regard it: the promise is made to an heart engaged, Jer. 29. 13. Then shall you seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Well then, when thou findest thy heart under the power of deadness and distraction, say to thy ⟨p. 115⟩Soul, O what do I lose by a careless heart now▪ my praying times are the choicest parts, the golden spots of all my time: could I but get up this heart with God, I might now obtain such mercies as would be matter for a song to all eternity.
These two things, the success, and sweetness of duty, are as dear to a Christian as his two eyes: and both of these must necessarily be lost, if the heart be lost in duty, Iob 35. 13. Surely God heareth not vanity, neither doth the Almighty regard it: the promise is made to an heart ingaged, Ier. 29. 13. Then shall you seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Well then, when thou findest thy heart under the power of deadness and distraction, say to thy ⟨p. 115⟩Soul, O what doe I lose by a careless heart now▪ my praying times are the choicest parts, the golden spots of all my time: could I but get up this heart with God, I might now obtain such mercies as would be matter for a song to all eternity.