A39682:250
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.
5. Rem. Seriously propound this question to thy own heart, have I got any good by the wrong and injuries received, or have I not? It they have done you no good, turn the revenge upon your selves. O that I should have such a bad heart, that can get no good out of such troubles. O that my Spirit should be so unlike to Christs! the patience and meekness of other Christians have turned all the injuries thrown at them into precious stones: the Spirits of others have been raised in blessing ⟨p. 125⟩God when they have been loaded with reproaches by the world: they have bound them as an ornament to their necks. Superbus fio (said Luther) quod video nomen pessimum mihi crescere. I could even be proud upon it, that I have a bad name among wicked men: to the same purpose Jerome sweetly, Gratias ago Deo meo quod dignus sum quem mundus oderit. I thank my God, that I am worthy to be hated of the world: thus their hearts were provoked by injuries to magnify God, and bless him for them: if it work contrary with me I have cause enough to be filled with self displacency.
5. Rem. Seriously propound this question to thy own heart, have I got any good by the wrong and injuries received, or have I not? It they have done you no good, turn the reveng upon your selves. O that I should have such a bad heart, that can get no good out of such troubles. O that my Spirit should be so unlike to Christs! the patience and meekness of other Christians have turn•d all the injuries thrown at them into precious stones: the Spirits of others have been raised in blessing ⟨p. 125⟩God when they have been loaded with reproaches by the world: they have bound them as an ornament to their necks. Superbus fio (said Luther) quod video nomen pessimum mihi crescere. I could even be proud upon it, that I have a bad name among wicked men: to the same purpose Ierome sweetly, Gratias ago Deo meo quod dignus sum quem mundus oderit. I thanke my God, that I am worthy to be hated of the world: thus their hearts were provoked by injuries to magnifie God, and bless him for them: if it work contrary with me I have cause enough to be filled with self displacency.