A39682:244
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.
I have often heard it reported of holy Mr. Dod that when •ne enraged at his close convincing doctrine picked a quarrel with him, sm•te him on the •ace, and […] two of his teeth: this meek servant of Christ spat out the teeth and blood into his hand and said, see here, you have knocked out two of my teeth, and that without any just provocation; but on condition I might do your Soul good, I would give you leave to dash out all the rest: here is the excellency of a Christians Spirit, above all the attainments of Moral Heathens: though they were excellent at many other things, yet they could never attain this forgiving spirit: it is the first office of justice (said Tully) to hurt no body, unless first provoked by an injury, whereupon Lactantius, O quam simplicem veramque sententiam duorum verborum, adjectione corrupit! What a dainty sentence spoiled the Orator by adding those two last words! strive then for this excellency of Spirit, which is the proper excellency of Christians, do some singular thing that others cannot do, and then you will have a ⟨p. 122⟩testimony in their Consciences: When Moses out-did the Magicians, they were forced to confess the finger of God in that business.
I have often heard it reported of holy Mr. Dod that when •ne inraged at his closs convincing doc••ine pickt a quarrel with him, sm•te him on the •ace, and 〈…〉 two of his teeth: this meek servant of Christ spat out the teeth and blood into his hand and said, see here, you have knockt out two of my teeth, and that without any just provocation; but on condition I might do your Soul good, I would give you leave to dash out all the rest: here is the excellency of a Christians Spirit, above all the attainments of Moral Heathens: though they were excellent at many other things, yet they could never attain this forgiving spirit: it is the first office of justice (said Tully) to hurt no body, unless first provoked by an injury, whereupon Lactantius, O quam simplicem veramque sententiam duorum verborum, adjectione corrupit! What a dainty sentence spoiled the Oratour by adding those two last words! strive then for this excellency of Spirit, which is the proper excellency of Christians, do some singular thing that others cannot doe, and then you will have a